Paul Pogba Vows to Come Back to Football ‘Better’ Than Before Following Reduced Doping Ban Sentence

Following a dark year, Paul Pogba can finally look to the future with optimism after the Court of Arbitration for Sports reduced his four-year doping ban to just 18-months. This allows the Frenchman to resume training as early as January 2025, with a potential return to action in March. Amid his impending return to football, Pogba has vowed to return ‘better’ than ever before.

The 31-year-old midfielder tested positive for a banned substance called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the first game of the 2023/24 season. DHEA is a compound that promotes hormone growth in the body, which also includes testosterone –a big no, no in professional sports. Pogba tested positive for the substance after authorities summoned him after Juventus’ tie against Udinese on 20th August. He then made substitute appearances for the Bianconeri against Bologna on 27th August, and against Empoli on 3rd September, before his suspension was announced. Paul Pogba has always maintained that he hasn’t taken any banned substance knowingly. And the Court of Arbitration for Sports agreed with Pogba, as they reduced his doping ban to 18-months earlier this month. 

Fans can’t wait to see Pogba back on the pitch as he aims to make a return to football by March 2025. During a recent interview with ESPN, Pogba stated that fans are going to see a more determined and hungrier version of him. He said, “For sure. It’s going to be a new Pogba. That’s definitely for sure. And in the positive way, like I said, with more hunger, with more determination. I feel like a kid that just want to be professional again, that never signed professional. So, this is the anger I have. That’s what drives me. And I will do everything to come back at the level I was before and even better. Why not?” 

In a different interview with SKY Sports, Pogba also maintained his innocence over the whole doping fiasco, stating that he’s not a “cheater.” He added further, “I am someone who loves my sport, I love the game and I would never ever. I don’t like to cheat. I like to win fairly and people know that. You see it. You see me, I am someone who is a bad loser, but I am not a cheater. That’s for sure.” Although Pogba has been cleared to return to action in March 2025, his future at club level remains uncertain. Rumors are swirling about potential contract termination talks between the Frenchman and Juventus. However, nothing has come to fruition as of yet.  

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