In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Paul Pogba has opened up about the turbulent period in his career following his suspension from football, his contemplation of retirement, and his aspirations to return to the French national team after seeing his four-year doping ban reduced to 18 months.
The 31-year-old Juventus midfielder tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a substance that enhances hormone production, including testosterone, leading to his initial four-year suspension. However, after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Pogba’s ban was reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return to play for Juventus in March 2025.
In a candid discussion, Pogba recounted the shock of receiving the ban and the emotional toll it took on him. Reflecting on that difficult time, Pogba admitted that the thought of retiring crossed his mind. “It was a shocking moment,” he shared. “I started questioning myself: what did I do wrong? I was in the shadows. I was talking to God, asking for help because there was nobody else.”
Pogba’s ban followed a positive test for DHEA, which Pogba insists he ingested inadvertently. The substance, given to him by a professional, was part of a supplement he took. Although the supplement was not intended to enhance performance or aid in recovery from injury, it still led to the doping charge. Pogba acknowledged responsibility, admitting that he failed to check the supplement carefully. “If I have to be punished, I am fine with it, but it should never have been four years. I will accept 12 months,” he said. His appeal to CAS resulted in a reduction of the ban to 18 months.
Throughout the ban, Pogba leaned on his family for support. “Spending time with my wife and kids helped me get through it, day by day,” he said. While he appreciated the additional family time, Pogba was clear that the experience helped him grow. “Sometimes you wish it didn’t happen, but it helped me to learn the lesson of life.”
Despite considering retirement, Pogba was buoyed by his family’s encouragement, particularly from his wife, who kept him focused on the future. “As soon as the thought of retirement came into my mind, I threw it away,” Pogba revealed. He now feels more motivated than ever to return to the game. “I am more hungry and I will appreciate the game more than before, after it was taken away from me.”
When asked about his future, Pogba remained focused on his contract with Juventus but left the door open for other opportunities. “Where would I like to play? On the pitch! First Juventus, I want to start training with my teammates,” he said. Pogba, who has been training alone during his ban, is eager to return to full fitness and contribute at the highest level. When questioned about a possible return to the Premier League, and specifically Manchester United, Pogba gave a guarded but hopeful response: “Yes, I hope so. This is the dream.”
Pogba also expressed his ambition to return to the France national team, a place he has always held close to his heart. “It is in my mind for sure. I have to be ready for that. There are players who deserve to play, and I have to win my place back.”
Looking back on his time at Manchester United, Pogba remained respectful of the club and its players despite their current struggles. “They are still one of the biggest clubs in the world. Arsenal took time to get back to the top, and now they are competing with Man City and Liverpool. I believe United will come back one day.”
The midfielder also touched on the recent criticism aimed at current United players like Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. Pogba defended them, insisting that criticism should not be directed at individuals but at the team’s collective performance. “You win as a team, and you never point at one player,” he said, noting the importance of team unity.
Pogba was also asked about Sir Alex Ferguson stepping down as Manchester United’s paid ambassador. For Pogba, Ferguson’s legacy at the club remains untarnished. “Sir Alex Ferguson will always be Sir Alex Ferguson. He is still in their history and will be forever. He is a legend.”
As Pogba looks ahead to 2025, he is keen to show the world that he remains one of football’s elite players. His focus is now on returning to fitness and reclaiming his place both at Juventus and with the French national team. “I am still the same player but with a different hunger,” Pogba said. “I want to be ready and play. I have realized how important the game is to me, and I will fight to come back stronger.”
This period has undoubtedly been one of the most challenging in Pogba’s career, but with the support of his family and his renewed passion for the game, the Frenchman is determined to prove himself once again on football’s biggest stages.
