Pogba jailed: 5 Footballers who faced family drama off the pitch
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The most recent incident involving Paul Pogba and his older brother, Mathias Pogba, has rocked the football community and added to the growing list of family-related conflicts in the sport.
In 2022, Mathias made public allegations that set off a media frenzy: Paul was allegedly using a witch doctor to curse his French teammate Kylian Mbappé.
The matter was further exacerbated by the disclosure by French authorities that Mathias, together with a group of allies, had tried to blackmail Paul for €13 million in return for the protection of damaging material.
Paul claimed to have been detained under gunpoint by masked men during one of these extortion attempts.
In December 2024 Mathias received a three-year prison sentence; two years were suspended, and one year had to be served wearing an electronic bracelet.
Paul called this situation "an extremely painful period," stressing the great betrayal he felt from his own brother. Still, he is now focused on recovering his career and showing outstanding tenacity following this personal tragedy.
This story marks the most recent in a lengthy run of family dramas involving football stars where off-field disputes regularly compromise their careers.
These events remind us that the personal lives of football players—often displayed in the media—can have long-lasting effects on their careers and personal relationships.
Mauro Icardi, Maxi López
In the realm of football, one of the most well-known family controversies is between Mauro Icardi, his wife Wanda Nara, and her previous partner Maxi López. Argentine striker López was a close friend and teammate of Icardi at Sampdoria.
Sadly, their friendship was permanently damaged in 2013 when word leaked that Icardi had started an affair with Wanda while Wanda was still wed to López.
The love triangle became a media extravaganza following Wanda's divorce from López and quick marriage to Icardi.
The controversy was heightened when López and Icardi squared up on the pitch and López famously refused to shake Icardi's hand.
Wanda's role as agent to Icardi has also caused controversy, especially during contract talks between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan. The series of public drama and treachery has made this affair among the most sensational in the world of sports.
Jerome Boateng
Former German international Jerome Boateng has had a lot of personal and family life scandals throughout his storied career. The most upsetting was the sad death of his ex-girlfriend, Kasia Lenhardt, in 2021 just following their public breakup. Before she tragically took her own life, Kasia accused Boateng of emotional abuse.
The public nature of their separation—which included claims of infidelity and manipulation—tainted Boateng's reputation. Further aggravating the situation was Boateng's continuous legal conflicts with Sherin Senler, another ex-partner with whom he had two children.
Jerome paid €1.2 million after being found guilty of attacking Senler in an altercation in 2018. Combining personal tragedies with legal problems has left the former Bayern Munich defender with a complicated legacy.
John Terry, Wayne Bridge
Former England and Chelsea captain John Terry irreparably damaged his reputation in 2010 in one of the most major football controversies. Terry came clean about his involvement with Wayne Bridge's erstwhile partner, Vanessa Perroncel.
The revelation broke the England national team in the run-up to the 2010 World Cup and set off a media frenzy. Bridge refusing to shake Terry's hand during a Premier League game became a recurring symbol of their breakdown.
The issue also deprived Terry of the England captaincy, although he would later recover it. This episode exposed not only Terry's double life but also the immense stress and scrutiny football players face in their private space.
Ryan Giggs
The public's view of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs was damaged by a string of scandals, including extramarital affairs and allegations of domestic violence. In 2011, it was revealed that Natasha Giggs, the wife of Giggs's sibling Rhodri, had been involved in an eight-year affair with him.
The treachery greatly affected Rhodri and led to a public conflict between the siblings. In 2020, the incident resurfaced after Giggs was accused of abusing his ex-girlfriend Kate Greville and her sibling in 2020.
The trial started in 2022, and claims of coercive and controlling behaviour surfaced, further damaging Giggs's reputation.
Once praised as a devoted servant of Manchester United, Giggs's legacy has been eclipsed by these personal disputes, resulting in public humiliation and damaged relationships.
Karim Benzema, Mathieu Valbuena
Karim Benzema's participation in the Mathieu Valbuena sex recording affair is among the most well-known cases of blackmail in football history.
In 2015, a blackmailer approached Valbuena, a teammate of Benzema on the French national team, threatening to reveal a private video of him unless he paid a large ransom.
After evidence showed Benzema had been a middleman encouraging Valbuena to pay the blackmailers, he was linked to the crime. Benzema insisted on his innocence, claiming to be only helping his friend, with the court processes lasting a long time.
Following a conviction of involvement in an attempted extortion in 2021, Benzema received a one-year suspended prison term and a €75,000 fine.
The issue seriously damaged Benzema's reputation, as he was not included in the French national squad for almost six years. He returned to the squad right before the UEFA European Championship of 2021.