Paul Pogba, the 32-year-old French World Cup-winning midfielder who once commanded a staggering £89 million transfer fee from Juventus to Manchester United in 2016, has taken a bold and unexpected step beyond the pitch by becoming a co-owner and ambassador for Al Haboob, a groundbreaking Saudi Arabian outfit that proudly claims the title of the world’s first professional camel racing team.
This venture, based in the heart of the Arabian Peninsula, marks a fascinating pivot for Pogba, who has spent recent years navigating personal and professional turbulence—including an 18-month doping suspension that he has always maintained stemmed from an accidental ingestion of a banned substance in a supplement—before making a low-key return to elite football as a substitute for AS Monaco in Ligue 1 back in November 2025.
Al Haboob, founded by visionary entrepreneurs Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir, isn’t just any camel racing operation; it’s a modern, ambitious project designed to elevate the ancient Bedouin tradition of camel racing—often dubbed the “sport of kings” for its deep cultural roots and high-stakes spectacles—into a global phenomenon.
The team competes across the Gulf Cooperation Council nations, including high-profile events in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and of course Saudi Arabia, where camel racing has long been a pillar of national heritage, regulated by the Saudi Camel Federation and drawing massive crowds to vast desert tracks.
With sleek branding, international aspirations, and significant backing from multiple investors who see untapped potential in professionalizing the sport, Al Haboob aims to launch the world’s inaugural professional camel racing league, complete with structured seasons, elite “athlete” camels trained with cutting-edge veterinary care and nutrition regimens, and even fan engagement strategies that could rival those in soccer or horse racing.
Pogba’s involvement stems from a growing fascination with the Middle East, forged during his time there amid his career hiatus; he has spoken candidly about how YouTube clips of blistering desert sprints and immersive local conversations sparked his curiosity, leading to deeper dives into the strategies of jockeys (now often lightweight robots in Saudi races to honor tradition while addressing ethical concerns), the breeding of dromedary camels prized for their speed and endurance, and the sheer family-driven passion that fuels the competitions.
“My passion really started when I began spending more time in the Middle East over the last couple of years,” Pogba told BBC.
He draws parallels between the unyielding discipline required to be the world’s most expensive footballer and the meticulous preparation behind a champion camel, viewing this investment as a way to embrace new pressures and responsibilities while giving back to a sport on the cusp of worldwide recognition.
This move also underscores Saudi Arabia’s aggressive push to diversify its sports portfolio, building on massive infusions into soccer through the Saudi Pro League—where Pogba was once rumored as a target for clubs like Al-Nassr alongside old teammate Cristiano Ronaldo—and now extending to traditional pursuits like camel racing, which boasts events such as the prestigious AlUla Camel Cup that have already attracted international figures like producer Swizz Beatz.
For Pogba, still easing back into Monaco’s midfield with his flair for dazzling passes intact, partnering with Al Haboob represents not just financial diversification but a heartfelt nod to cultural exchange, blending his global stardom with the timeless rhythm of the desert sands.
As Al Haboob gears up for its next season, with Pogba’s star power potentially drawing new eyes from Europe to the Gulf, this unlikely fusion of football royalty and camel circuits could well herald the dawn of a thrilling new era in unconventional sports.