Paul Pogba is determined and confident that he will play professional football again despite currently serving a four-year ban for doping.
“Of course, if you’ve seen an interview of me saying that I’m retiring and I’m not a footballer, then that’s wrong,” Paul Pogba stated emphatically.
“I’m still here. I’m still positive. There’s still a chance to fight this injustice, which is what I believe it is. Let’s see—things are hopefully going to get better. I’m always positive, but let’s see.” the Juventus midfielder said during an interview with Sky Italia in Düsseldorf on Monday, following France’s 1-0 win over Belgium, to book their qualification to the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024.
@skysportsfootball Paul Pogba comments on the rumours around his retirement and says he does want to make a return to football. #pogba #paulpogba #juventus #football #france♬ original sound – Sky Sports Football
“In that interview, what I would say is, you need to see the whole thing because they only put out the part where I haven’t finished talking yet. I have never said I am finished. That Paul Pogba doesn’t exist anymore because Pogba is still here. Today, I’m here. I am Pogba. You have never seen me say that I’m finished. If you want, go back and see the things I said in that video to understand what I really meant. But I still feel like a footballer. I’m still training.” Pogba said, his intensity palpable.
Pogba, currently 31, will be 34 if he sits out the entire 4-year ban, and would have certainly featured as a key player for Didier Deschamps in the ongoing Euro 2024, similar to their 2018 World Cup triumph and UEFA Nations League (2021) victory.
Nonetheless, Pogba has not played since August 2023, as he awaits a date with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), where he aims to have his suspension reduced to two years.
He was suspended earlier this year after testing positive for doping twice (the A sample and then the B sample).
“These are moments where I have to be positive, and with my family, spending a lot of time with them, watching my kids grow up—that’s always something beautiful,” His tone and gaze softened momentarily as he mentioned his family. “Especially when someone in football tells me I can’t play or do something I love. But I stay positive. There’s a desire to return. It’s like when I was a kid trying to be a professional, so I’m training and doing everything to return on the pitch.”
Pogba can’t play football professionally or train with Juventus but he has been working every day on his own in his Turin mansion with a fitness coach in a gym and with a personal football coach on the pitch.
@skysportsfootball Paul Pogba getting a French fan park hyped ahead of their last 16 clash against Belgium 🤩 #pogba#paulpogba#francefootball#mbappe#euro2024#footballtiktok#fyp♬ original sound – Sky Sports Football
“The latest news is, I’m still a Juventus player, so you need to speak to them. I’m still contracted to them. I haven’t had the chance to speak to the sporting director nor the coach. I don’t know much—there’s a bit of silence. Maybe they’re waiting for the appeal to see what happens. But the rest, you have to ask them.”
The 2018 World Cup winner’s words painted a vivid picture of his fervent desire to reclaim his place in football and prove to the world he still has some good days left inside him.
Pogba was invited to Germany for France’s round of 16 fixture against the Red Devils by the French FA and head coach Didier Deschamps. He paid a visit to the France dressing room to reunite with his former teammates and celebrate France’s quarter-final qualification.
Les Blues face Portugal on Friday, July 5, 10 pm (EAT) where they will jostle for a spot in the semi-finals.
