Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has expressed his determination to return to the football pitch and fulfill his dream of representing France at the 2026 World Cup. This comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) significantly reduced his doping ban from four years to 18 months earlier this month.
Pogba, 31, was provisionally suspended by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance known to enhance testosterone levels. However, he appealed the decision, claiming that the ingestion of the substance was unintentional. CAS accepted his argument, paving the way for Pogba to return to action in March 2025.
Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, the French midfielder opened up about his difficult year but emphasized his eagerness to get back to football, especially with Juventus. “I am ready to return to normal in 2025. I only have one desire—to play football. The reality is that I am a Juve player, and I am preparing to play for Juve,” Pogba stated.
He further revealed that he is willing to make financial sacrifices to resume his career at Juventus, where he is under contract until June 2026. “I’m ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. I want to come back.”
The ban had sidelined Pogba for over a year, with his last appearance for Juventus dating back to a 2-0 victory over Empoli. The French international described this period as the most challenging of his career. “It was a very difficult year, and what hurt the most was spending every day outside the stadium and the Juventus training center, Continassa. I would take my children to school but couldn’t train or play for Juventus.”
Despite this setback, Pogba said he found strength in the unwavering support from both past and current teammates. He mentioned several colleagues, including Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie, and others, who consistently checked in on him. “I didn’t expect so much support,” Pogba admitted, showing his gratitude for their encouragement during this difficult time.
While Pogba’s immediate focus is on making a strong comeback for Juventus, he also has his eyes set on a return to the French national team. The 2018 World Cup winner is hoping to rejoin Didier Deschamps’ squad ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“The dream of the World Cup is there, but Deschamps hasn’t opened the doors for anyone,” Pogba said. “It’s up to me to open them. He told me to work.”
With the opportunity to resume playing in 2025, Pogba remains optimistic about proving himself on the pitch and fighting his way back into the French national team. For now, he is focused on preparing for his return and reigniting his career with Juventus, while keeping his World Cup aspirations alive.
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