Paul Pogba Eyes Juventus Return After Doping Ban Reduction
Paul Pogba is preparing for a return to football after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The Juventus midfielder tested positive for elevated testosterone levels in 2023 but has consistently maintained that his ingestion of the banned substance was unintentional.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Pogba expressed relief at the reduced sentence, saying, “I’m not a cheater. I love my sport, and I would never, ever cheat. I like to win fairly.”
The 31-year-old admitted responsibility for failing to properly check the supplement he took but emphasised that it wasn’t a performance-enhancing drug.
"It was just normal things to improve health," he explained, though he acknowledged he didn’t "triple-check" it before consumption.
Pogba originally feared his football career might be over, with the potential ban keeping him out until 2027. However, his wife’s encouragement helped him stay focused on a return, and now, he’s eyeing a comeback with Juventus in March 2025.
Pogba supported by teammates during suspension
During the suspension, Pogba endured a challenging year. Banned from training with Juventus and barred from the club’s facilities, he missed the camaraderie of his teammates. Despite this isolation, he remained in close contact with several friends from the team, including Juan Cuadrado and Paulo Dybala. Their support, along with that of his family, kept him grounded during what he described as one of the toughest times in his career.
Pogba ready to make an impact on pitch
Looking ahead, Pogba remains determined to make an impact on the pitch once again. He’s even willing to take a pay cut to resume playing for Juventus.
“I want to come back. I’m ready to give up even money to play for Juve again,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.
He also harbours hopes of making it to the 2026 World Cup with France, though he knows it will be a tough journey.
"Deschamps hasn’t opened the doors for anyone. It’s up to me to open them."
Despite the lengthy suspension, Pogba has no intentions of slowing down. He admits he’s returning to football with a renewed sense of motivation and hunger.
“There will definitely be another Paul Pogba but with more determination and motivation to play until the end of my career,” he said, reflecting on the lessons learned during his time away from the sport.
Pogba remains under contract with Juventus until 2026 and is focused on getting back into the team.
“My main focus is to get back training, be fit, and be on the pitch doing what I love.”
