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News
- 16 hours ago
Paul Pogba becomes co-owner of the world's first professional camel racing team
Martin Macdonald
- Updated: 11 Dec 2025 04:08 CST
- 5 min read
Nieuws
Paul Pogba has expanded his business portfolio by investing the world's first professional camel racing team, Al Haboob.
The World Cup winner is now a shareholder and an ambassador for the Saudi Arabian outfit.
Camel racing is a popular sport in the Middle East and Al Haboob compete in the Gulf Cooperation Council which comprises Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates but they are looking to establish the first every professional league as it is currently only contested at amateur level.
Even though that's the case, it can be lucrative, as winning camels have been known to be sold for ridiculous amounts - as much as $5 million.
“My passion really started when I began spending more time in the Middle East over the last couple of years,” Pogba said. “Every time I came out here, I found myself more intrigued by the culture, the people, and the traditions. Camel racing kept popping up — in conversations, in local events, even in small things I’d notice when travelling around.
“So I started looking into it properly. The more I learned, the more interesting it became. There’s a whole world behind this sport — history, family ties, competition, pride.”
In 2016, Pogba became the most expensive footballer in history at the time when he re-joined Manchester United from Juventus for a fee of €105 million.
He's hoping to one day own the world's most expensive camel.
"Being the world's most expensive footballer was an honour, but it also came with a lot of hard work, pressure and responsibility," he told the BBC.
"Owning the world's most expensive camel one day would be a beautiful full-circle moment - something fun, something meaningful and something that excites me. Maybe one day we make it happen."
Camel racing vs football - the parallels
Pogba believes that parallels can be made between football and camel racing.
"People might not realise it, but sport always connects in some way," added the Frenchman.
"Whether it's football, camel racing, boxing - the foundations are similar. You need determination, you need focus, you need discipline and grit. That's what makes champions at the end of the day."
Al Haboob was founded by entrepreneurs Omar Almaeena and Safwan Modir.
"Paul's involvement is transformational," said Almaeena.
"His influence, leadership, and passion for cultural storytelling reflect exactly what Al Haboob stands for. This partnership is about more than racing; it is about sharing a heritage that deserves global recognition."
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