Paul Pogba, a midfielder for Juventus, has dismissed suggestions that he may retire from professional football. Despite serving a four-year doping ban, Pogba has not played since August 2023. The 31-year-old is currently awaiting a date for his hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), where he hopes to have his two-year doping suspension shortened. Pogba was banned earlier this year after testing positive for doping twice (the A sample and the B sample).
Before his hearing on Monday, Pogba stated in an interview with Sky Italia in Düsseldorf that “if you haven’t seen an interview of mine in which I say that I’m retiring, it means that it’s not like that, because I still feel like a footballer.” During France’s 1-0 victory over Belgium in the ongoing Euro 2024 round of 16 match in Germany, the midfield player made a statement.
Pogba went on to say, “I want to fight this injustice, for myself. I’m not sure if you’ve watched the entire interview, but they posted something that… I was not done talking. Pogba isn’t finished, Pogba is here and until you see me say that I’m finished, don’t worry.
“I’m still a Juventus player, I have the contract, but I haven’t had a chance to speak with the director and coach… there’s silence,” he continued. You’ll have to ask them, but I believe they’re waiting to hear the appeal.”
The Frenchman is unable to practice with Juventus or play professional football, but he has been training hard in his Turin estate with a personal football coach and a fitness coach in the gym. The veteran is determined to return in style, so he doesn’t waver.
The French FA and head coach Didier Deschamps extended an invitation to Pogba to attend the high-profile match prior to France’s R16 match against Belgium in the Euros. He even went to see the France dressing room after their 1-0 victory over Belgium.
Portugal and France will now square off in an exciting quarterfinal match on Saturday (July 6, IST).
