The latest chapter in Paul Pogba’s career struggles since leaving Juventus for Manchester United in 2016 sees him facing a long-term ban for doping.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner rejoined the Bianconeri in 2022 after a torrid six years in England with the Red Devils, where he played a few years of youth football in his developmental stages. Injuries, however, prevented him from participating in the 2022/23 season.
Fans of the player have continued to hold their faith in his resurgence but the fitness issues have carried on for too long, eventually affecting his form. The 30-year-old is now a shadow of what he used to be and the latest issue surrounding him seems to suggest that he could be officially done with football at the top level.
The France midfielder tested positive for high testosterone after a random drug test done by the Italian Serie A officials after Juventus beat Udinese 3 – 0 on the opening day of the 2023/24 Italian top-flight season. Pogba was an unused substitute in that game but was subjected to a test regardless.
Following positive results, the former Manchester United midfielder has now been suspended provisionally by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (NADO Italia), per an announcement on Monday. However, if investigations prove that Pogba took banned substances before the game, he could face a four-year suspension from the sport. This means that Pogba will not be able to play football anywhere in the world until 2027 when he will be 34 years old.
Pogba has been given three days to respond to the claims and get his provisional suspension lifted.
Meanwhile, the midfielder is currently in a place where he is considering calling time on his football career.
While he continues to train to get back to full fitness and his best form, he has dealt with a number of issues off the pitch as well. The midfielder was speaking to Al Jazeera on Monday when he revealed that he had considered retiring from football this year.
“When there is money you have to be careful. Money changes people. It can break up a family. It can create a war.
“Sometimes I was just by myself thinking: ‘I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money.’
“Sometimes it’s tough. This life, you have to go through it. It will only make me stronger.”
