Little spared from injuries since 2020, and the legal affairs involving family and friends since the summer of 2022, for which six of his relatives are on trial from this Tuesday, Paul Pogba’s career took a completely different turn on September 11 2023. That day, the Italian anti-doping agency (NADO) made a particularly problematic revelation: the Frenchman tested positive for the doping substance DHEA, on the 20 August 2023, during the first day of the 2023-2024 Serie A season. The rest resembles a slow descent into hell: stopped as a precautionary measure, the French international is ultimately suspended for four years.
While the midfielder proclaims his innocence by crying injustice and tries by all means to make his version of the facts heard, the Administrative Court of Sport (CAS) finally announces, on Friday October 4, 2024, the reduction of his sanction at 18 months. “Finally, the nightmare is over,” reacted the former Manchester United player. “Following the CAS decision, I can now look forward to the day when I will be able to pursue my dreams again,” he continues. The objective is clear: find the land again.
What level for the Pickaxe?
The fact remains that Paul Pogba now finds himself without a club and a real question remains about his physical level. Despite the reduction of his suspension and a possible return to the field from March 2025, his contract with Juventus Turin was terminated after an agreement between the two parties. Not surprising for a player who has only played 12 matches in all competitions in two and a half seasons, despite a salary of 11 million per year. Especially since the Old Lady has, this year, started a new cycle with Thiago Motta at its head and a new strategy focused on youth. But La Pioche could also have played a mentoring role to supervise a team lacking experience on the European scene.
Unless his physical condition was deemed incompatible with the high level… Because even if his talent with the ball, his tactical intelligence, and his vision have certainly not disappeared, it must be said that for four years, the midfielder field collects wounds. Malleolus, hamstrings, calf, serious knee injury… Everything goes. This growing fragility, added to his absence from the field since his suspension, does not argue in favor of a return to the forefront of the player who will soon celebrate his 32nd birthday. Another crucial aspect to hope to become the player he was again: mentality. Between the extra-sporting affairs in which he is stuck and his sporting sidelining, it will take significant psychological work to find a state of mind compatible with the very high level.
Despite this, his name was mentioned by the Italian press for certain destinations, certainly a little more exotic. There Gazzetta dello Sport for example, recently mentioned the possibility of Pogba joining the United States and the MLS, where several teams would have approached him, and where Hugo Lloris, Olivier Giroud and even Lionel Messi play. Another track, certainly the most attractive financially, with a departure towards the new Eldorado and Saudi Arabia. The fact remains that a departure from the Old Continent would undoubtedly mark the end of his adventure with the Blues, something that the Pickaxe is perhaps not yet ready to accept. Finally, there remains the dream of a final European challenge.
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