In a moment of relief and gratitude, Paul Pogba shared his feelings on Friday evening, declaring, “Finally the nightmare is over,” as he saw a glimmer of hope at the end of a long, dark tunnel that he felt trapped in for so long.
After facing a four-year ban for a doping violation, Pogba received news from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) that his ban had been reduced to 18 months. This development raised the possibility of a comeback in March 2025. However, the question remains – where will he return to the spotlight he once enjoyed as the most expensive player in world football?
Unfortunately for Pogba, a return to Juventus seems unlikely at this point. Despite the reduction in his ban, Juventus coach Thiago Motta did not sound enthusiastic about welcoming Pogba back into the fold. The club awaits the publication of CAS’s reasoning behind the decision, with discussions with Pogba and his agent Rafaela Pimenta expected to follow.
Mike Morgan, a seasoned sports lawyer who has represented the likes of Tyson Fury and Chris Froome in doping cases, led Pogba’s successful appeal. While Pogba admitted to a “strict liability offence,” the path for his return to the sport has been partially cleared.
Facing the possibility of suspension beyond his 34th birthday in 2027, Pogba was at risk of seeing his career abruptly end. However, with a potential return to training in January and eligibility to play again from March 11, the outlook has changed significantly.
Reflecting on the challenging period in his life, Pogba acknowledged that everything he had worked for had been put on hold. While his career remains on pause, it is no longer at a standstill.
Pointedly, Pogba noted that he “has been a great player” – emphasizing the past tense – who hasn’t seen action in a long time. His last competitive match was nearly 17 months ago, with injury setbacks, struggles with fitness and form, and the ban all contributing to his lack of playing time since rejoining Juventus.
During his appeal hearing in Lausanne, Pogba shared that his desperation to overcome his injury woes led him to unknowingly take a dietary supplement containing DHEA. This admission sheds light on the difficulties he faced on his journey back to the pitch.
As Pogba looks ahead to a potential return to action, the soccer world eagerly anticipates how his story will unfold in the coming months.
