Paul Pogba has revealed that he contemplated retiring from football after being handed a significant four-year doping ban. However, following a successful appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has reduced his suspension to 18 months, allowing him to return to professional football in March 2025.
In an interview with ESPN, the 31-year-old French midfielder shared the emotional impact of the initial ruling. He stated, “I had many thoughts in my head, I had so many thoughts to even stop playing. You start making the maths in your head. Four years not playing, training – which club is going to want me? Would I be fit?” Despite these overwhelming doubts, Pogba kept his hope alive, firmly believing in his innocence. He emphasized, “I knew I didn’t do anything wrong on purpose.”
Excitement for his return is palpable, as Pogba declared to ESPN, “For sure it’s gonna be a new Pogba. For sure. Even better than before. More hungry and with more determination. I feel like a kid who wants to be a professional again. This is what drives me.”
Pogba’s doping case stems from a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance that elevates testosterone levels, after Juventus’ opening match of the 2023-24 season against Udinese in August 2023. His last match prior to the doping news was on September 3, 2023, against Empoli.
Reflecting on this challenging period, Pogba noted, “When you sit back and see how things went through my whole life, not only the doping, I’m like yeah, definitely I gained 10 more years, got more experience, more sage I would say, more wise.” He also took responsibility for not double-checking the substances he consumed, stating, “At the end of the day, obviously I took responsibility for not double-checking.”
Currently, Pogba’s future with Juventus remains uncertain as discussions about terminating his contract are reportedly underway. This move could potentially pave the way for him to join a new club ahead of his return to action in March 2025. When asked about his current status, Pogba commented, “Right now I’m with Juventus, so we don’t know really what’s going on.”
As fans eagerly await his comeback, Pogba’s journey serves as a reminder of the challenges athletes face and the resilience required to overcome obstacles in the world of professional sports.
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