Paul Pogba, the French international midfielder, has opened the door to a possible move away from Juventus as he nears his return to competitive football. Pogba, whose current contract with Juventus runs until 2026, has been serving a doping ban, which was recently reduced from four years to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). He will be eligible to play again starting March 11, 2025, just a few days before his 32nd birthday.
Pogba tested positive for testosterone after a match between Juventus and Udinese in August 2023, leading to his provisional suspension in September and a four-year ban from the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal in early 2024. His legal team argued that the testosterone came from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States, which played a key role in the CAS’s decision to reduce his suspension.
During an interview with L’Equipe, Pogba spoke about his eagerness to return to football, describing it as the “strawberry cake that was taken out of my mouth.” The 91-time capped French international is excited to be back on the field and hinted at a potential move to a new league, stating, “Why not?” when asked about joining Ligue 1, a league he has never played in during his senior career.
Pogba’s return to Juventus in 2022, after a successful stint at Manchester United, was marred by injuries and off-field issues, including an extortion scandal involving his brother, Mathias Pogba, who was among six men ordered to stand trial. Despite these setbacks, Pogba remains a key figure in football, especially after helping France win the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
As he prepares for his football comeback, Pogba’s future is uncertain. Juventus will likely face questions about whether the star midfielder will stay in Turin or seek a fresh start in a different league, possibly in France’s Ligue 1 or elsewhere in Europe.
With his doping ban reduced and his return to football imminent, all eyes will be on Pogba as he explores his next move, and football fans eagerly await the next chapter in his storied career. Whether he stays with Juventus or moves to a new league, Pogba’s return promises to reignite excitement on and off the pitch.
