Paul Pogba Aims for Comeback After 18-Month Suspension

Paul Pogba the Juventus midfielder facing an 18-month ban due to a failed doping test, insists he is “not a cheater” while accepting responsibility for the situation. The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his original four-year suspension after determining that he unintentionally ingested a banned substance. The test revealed elevated testosterone levels in his system which led to his suspension by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal in February.

Pogba (31) expressed his passion for the sport and emphasized that he would never deliberately cheat. He admitted to taking a supplement but acknowledged that he didn’t thoroughly check its contents, stating, “If I have to be punished, I am fine with it, but it should never be four years.” His reduced ban started on 11 September 2023 allowing him to resume training in January and potentially play again in March.

Since rejoining Juventus in July 2022 after leaving Manchester United, injuries have limited Pogba’s participation, resulting in only 12 appearances across all competitions. He looks forward to training with teammates, stating, “It’s tough to be alone, playing passes against the wall.” Pogba has made 423 club appearances throughout his career. After his suspension, he thought about retiring but decided to concentrate on making a comeback.

He now feels more motivated than ever and aims to appreciate football on a deeper level following his time away.  Additionally, Paul Pogba remains eager to reclaim his spot on the French national team acknowledging the competition among players and expressing his readiness to fight for his place. “I have to be ready for that,” he said, emphasizing his determination to return.