Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is expressing a strong desire to make his comeback to football following a significant reduction of his doping ban from four years to 18 months. He has shared his aspirations of representing France at the 2026 World Cup.
Earlier this month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the ban on the 31-year-old athlete, who had been provisionally suspended by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 due to a positive test for DHEA, a prohibited substance known to enhance testosterone levels.
Pogba, who has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, contends that his consumption of DHEA was unintentional. He is set to be eligible to return to the pitch for Juventus in March, expressing that he feels stronger and wiser and is even open to accepting a pay cut.
“I am prepared to resume normalcy in 2025.” My singular ambition is to engage in the sport of football. Pogba affirmed his commitment to Juventus during an interview with the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday, stating, “The reality is that I am a Juve player, and I am preparing to play for Juve.”
“I need not utter a word; the pitch will convey everything, and then coach Thiago Motta will assess the situation with his own eyes, relying on his observations.” I am prepared to sacrifice even financial gain to don the Juventus jersey once more. “I want to come back,” the player stated, emphasizing his commitment despite having a contract with Juventus that runs until June 2026.
Pogba, who has not played for Juventus in over a year following a 2-0 victory against Empoli, described receiving the initial ban as the most challenging moment of his career.
“The past year proved to be exceptionally challenging, marked by the emotional strain of daily routines that involved taking my children to school outside the stadium and the Juventus training center at Continassa, all while being unable to step inside to train or play for the club.”
Numerous former and present teammates have consistently provided their support. Juan Cuadrado regularly reached out to me, bringing a smile to my face each time with his humor. Paulo Dybala sent me numerous messages. “I was surprised to see so many players, including Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Moise Kean.”
Pogba expressed his desire to regain his peak performance with the Serie A team and secure a spot in Didier Deschamps’ France squad in anticipation of the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
The aspiration for the World Cup remains alive, yet Deschamps has yet to extend opportunities to anyone. “It’s my responsibility to open them, as he instructed me to work,” the midfielder stated.
