Paul Pogba has revealed he would have quit football altogether if his four-year ban for doping had been upheld.
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- Pogba was handed four-year ban
- Suspension reduced after lengthy appeal
- Still searching for a new club
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WHAT HAPPENED?
Pogba was handed an initial four-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance – dehydroepiandrosterone – following Juventus' clash with Udinese in 2023. That suspension was reduced, however, after a lengthy appeal process. Now, the former Manchester United midfielder has revealed that considered retirement when the initial suspension was handed out.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Pogba is now eligible to play, but he has yet to sign for a new club after leaving Juventus. He has been linked with a variety of clubs, and has been touted for moves to Saudi Arabia and MLS.
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WHAT POGBA SAID
Pogba told GQ France: "If they'd given me four years, I would have quit football. I didn't want to say it publicly but that's what I was thinking.
"I didn’t understand. Why? They handed down the maximum sentence. That meant they hadn’t listened to a single thing I’d said.”
Despite being allowed to play once again, the 32-year-old says he has been left "changed", adding: “I saw what real life is. It worked on me like a full reset. I aged ten years in one go.”
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WHAT NEXT?
Pogba is weighing his next move, but admits he cannot wait to start playing again.
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