Pogba’s recent revelations and criticisms of Juventus following his doping suspension:

“A Very Hard Period”: Paul Pogba Speaks Out

In a series of candid interviews, Paul Pogba has opened up about the emotional turmoil he endured during his 18‑month doping ban — and launched a scathing criticism at Juventus for their lack of support during his darkest days.

 The Suspension & Appeal

In February 2024, Italy’s National Anti‑Doping Tribunal handed Pogba a four‑year ban after testing positive for DHEA (a metabolite of testosterone) following Juventus’s opener against Udinese in August 2023 (bbc.co.uk, espn.co.uk).

Pogba maintained he ingested the substance unintentionally, having taken a supplement prescribed by a doctor without realizing it contained a banned ingredient (news.sky.com).

On October 4, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his suspension to 18 months, backdated to 11 September 2023, ruling the ingestion was not intentional (bbc.co.uk).

Consequently, Pogba was able to resume training in January 2025 and will be eligible to play from March 2025 (reuters.com).

Feeling “Like a Caged Lion” in Turin

In one poignant interview, Pogba described the emotional strain of staying away from Juventus facilities:

“I felt like a caged lion. At one point I wanted to leave Italy with my family because this situation hurt too much.” (football-italia.net)

He detailed the pain of driving past Juventus’ training grounds daily—accompanying his children to school but being unable to enter to train or play—a stark symbol of his depletion.

Teammates’ Support — But Not From the Club

Pogba expressed deep gratitude for support from fellow players, though he emphasized that it was not always reciprocated by club officials:

Juan Cuadrado, Paulo Dybala, Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, and Moise Kean were among teammates who frequently checked in with calls and messages (football-italia.net, cadenaser.com).

Other former teammates also offered vocal and discreet backing, reminding Pogba that he wasn’t alone even when feeling abandoned (news.sky.com).

However, the official response from Juventus was notably tepid:

Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli commented only after the CAS ruling was announced: “We’re waiting for the sentence documents, then we’ll make a decision. He was a great player but has been out of action for a long time” (apnews.com).

Coach Thiago Motta remained noncommittal, focusing on the broader team rather than Pogba’s plight (football-italia.net).

Pogba feels this lack of institutional backing worsened his isolation, driving home the difference between club politics and genuine camaraderie.

A Crushing Social Fallout

Beyond the pitch, Pogba described how the suspension shattered his public identity:

“Paul Pogba – the famous guy – is no more. People were avoiding me. I used to get invited to fashion weeks…

Now they were like, ‘We can’t use Pogba.’ My friends weren’t ringing like they were before.” (bbc.co.uk, reddit.com)

This loss of visibility and invitations to events underscored the shame and stigma associated with doping allegations, no matter the eventual forgiveness.

Reddit users resonated with Pogba’s experience:

“Hope he does take lessons from it to see who his real friends are.”

“This is why a part of me don’t want to become successful either.” (reddit.com)

Faith, Family & Redemption

Pogba credited his wife, children, faith in God, and family as the pillars that sustained him:

He spent more time at home — genuinely “being a real dad” during a time most footballers never get (graphic.com.gh).

• He acknowledged that those ties helped him continue, even on his lowest days when he feared his career might be over (graphic.com.gh).

The Road Ahead: New Surroundings & Fresh Hunger

His vision for the future is clear: a comeback stronger, wiser, and hungrier.

Pogba says he’d even take a pay cut to prove himself to Juventus (reuters.com, apnews.com).

• He dreams of returning to the France national team and featuring in the 2026 World Cup (reuters.com).

However, relations with Juventus appear terminal:

• The club and Pogba agreed on a mutual contract termination effective November 30, 2024 (theguardian.com).

• The decision was said to be pragmatic—Pogba’s 18‑month absence coincided with Juventus’s squad overhaul .

Pogba has been linked with moves to Inter Miami, MLS, Saudi Arabia, or even a return to Europe, but remains a free agent upon ban completion (theguardian.com).

Final Thoughts: A Player at a Crossroads

Paul Pogba’s public revelations shine a harsh spotlight on the emotional toll doping bans can inflict on elite athletes, especially when club institutions retreat rather than rally.

Juventus’s official distance contrasts sharply with the warm, human support from teammates — yet teammate loyalty cannot compensate for institutional indifference.

With his contract terminated, Pogba will enter 2025 as a free agent with something to prove: his integrity, resilience, and enduring talent.

Whether he finds a new home in Europe, MLS, or elsewhere, his return will be a test not merely of form but of spirit.

His story is more than a comeback; it’s a cautionary tale about friendship, loyalty, and standing strong when the spotlight dims.