Manchester United star Paul Pogba is offering a reward to help find burglars who broke into his home while his children were asleep last night.
The midfielder said his family’s “worst nightmare was realized” when the burglars struck while he was playing for United in their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid last night – on what was was Pogba’s 29th birthday.
Pogba’s wife, Bolivian model María Zulay Salaues, was at Old Trafford with the footballer. They have two children together, with the eldest born in 2019.
In an emotional statement posted on social media, Pogba said the burglars were in the Altrincham-based house – which was bought by the Frenchman for £2.9m in December 2016 – for under five minutes, but that they had taken “something more valuable than anything we had in our home… our sense of safety and security”.
Pogba’s full statement read: “Last night our family’s worst nightmare was realized when our home was broken into and burglarized while our babies were sleeping in their bedroom.
“The burglars were in our home for less than five minutes but in that time they took something more valuable than anything we had in our home… our sense of safety and security.
“This occurred during the final minutes of last night’s match when they knew that we would not be home. My wife and I rushed home not knowing if our children were safe and unharmed. As a father there is no feeling worse in this world than not being there to protect your children and I sincerely hope that no one ever has to feel what I felt last night.
“It is for this reason that I would like to offer a reward for anyone who has a clue to help us. Please send any info to rewardpogba@gmail.com.”
Greater Manchester Police have been contacted for comment about the incident.
