'It opened my mind and makes me a better person': Manchester United star Paul Pogba opens up on becoming a Muslim and how he 'questioned' himself before turning to religion Paul Pogba has revealed the reasons why he became a Muslim in his twenties The midfielder was 'questioning' himself and decided to join friends in prayer Pogba recently made a pilgrimage to Mecca during the holy month of Ramadan The France star says practising Islam has helped him become a better person By Joe Strange for MailOnline Published: 09:26 BST, 11 June 2019 | Updated: 09:30 BST, 11 June 2019 Viewcomments Paul Pogba has revealed that he was 'questioning myself over a lot of things' before turning to Islam and becoming 'more peaceful inside'. The Manchester United star, who recently made a pilgrimage to Mecca during the holy month of Ramadan, wasn't born a Muslim despite his mother's faith. But after going through a difficult period, Pogba decided to research the religion and follow a number of his friends by practising Islam. Paul Pogba (left) recently paid a visit to Mecca with Kurt Zouma during the month of Ramadan The Manchester United midfielder points to the sky during a game with Crystal Palace in 2017 The midfielder, who remains a transfer target for Real Madrid this summer, credits the decision with helping to make him a better person. Asked what being a Muslim meant to him in The Times' new Life Times podcast, Pogba said: 'It's everything. That's what makes me thankful for everything. 'It made me change, realise things in life. I guess, maybe, it makes me more peaceful inside. 'It was a good change in my life because I wasn't born a Muslim, even if my mum was. I just grew up like that, respect for everyone. 'Islam is not the image that everyone sees – terrorism… What we hear in the media is really something else, it's something beautiful. 'You get to know it. Anybody can find that he feels connected with Islam.' Pogba poses with Chelsea defender Zouma and a group of friends during their pilgrimage Asked why he decided to become a Muslim in his twenties, the France midfielder admitted that he 'It came because I have a lot of friends who are Muslim. We always talk. 'I was questioning myself in a lot of things, then I started doing my own research. I prayed once with my friends and I felt something different. I felt really good. 'Since that day I just carried on. You have to pray five times a day, that's one of the pillars of Islam. It's something that you do. 'The meaning why you do it – you ask forgiveness and be thankful for everything you have, like my health and everything. 'It's really a religion that opened my mind and that makes me, maybe, a better person. You think more about the afterlife. 'This life has a test. Like when I'm with you, here. Even if you're not a Muslim, you are a normal human. You have a human relationship and respect you for who you are, what religion you are, what colour and everything. 'Islam is just this – respect of the humanity and everything.' Read more: Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility