French international Paul Pogba has declared his eagerness to return to football after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months last week. The news comes as a major relief for the talented midfielder, who will be eligible to play again on March 11, 2024.
Speaking to L’Equipe television from the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, Pogba likened his time away from the sport to having a ‘strawberry cake taken out of his mouth.’ He’s under contract with Juventus until 2026, meaning he’ll be back in the Italian giant’s colors just four days before his 32nd birthday.
Pogba, who has 91 caps for France, initially tested positive for testosterone in August 2023 following a Juventus match against Udinese. He was provisionally suspended in September and later received a four-year ban from the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal. However, in early October, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the suspension to 18 months.
Pogba’s representatives stated that the presence of testosterone stemmed from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States.
With the ordeal behind him, Pogba is now looking forward to returning to the game. He expressed his excitement, stating, ‘The nightmare is over,’ and added that he’s ‘really looking forward to coming back.’
When asked about a possible move to Ligue 1, Pogba, who has never played in the French league during his senior career, intriguingly responded, ‘Why not?’ This suggests a potential return to his home country could be on the cards.
Pogba played a pivotal role in France’s 2018 World Cup victory in Russia. He had a successful first stint at Juventus, winning four Serie A titles. However, upon his return to the club in 2022 from Manchester United, he faced a series of challenges both on and off the pitch. These included an alleged organized extortion attempt, for which six men, including Pogba’s brother Mathias, are scheduled to stand trial.
Now, with the doping ban behind him and a return to football on the horizon, Pogba will be aiming to reclaim his place as one of the world’s best midfielders. Fans will be eagerly awaiting his return to the field, hoping to see him back in top form.