A long descent into hell. Almost two years ago to the day, Paul Pogba won, with the French team, the 2021 Nations League under the nose of the Spain of a certain Luis Enrique. Today, the professional football career of “La Pioche” could be over, at only 30 years old, following his positive test for testosterone and a possible four-year suspension.
August 20, 2023. Juventus Turin-Udinese Calcio. First day of Serie A. Paul Pogba watches, on the substitutes’ bench, the victory of the Bianconeri (0-3). Even though he did not enter the game, the Frenchman was called for doping control. About twenty days later, we learned that traces of synthetic testosterone were discovered during this test. The Italian Anti-Doping Agency (Nado) decides to provisionally suspend him for “violation of articles 2.1 and 2.2 for the presence of the following prohibited substances: testosterone metabolites”. The 2018 World Champion then risks four years of suspension.
He defends himself, particularly in the media, through Rafaela Pimenta, his agent. “We are waiting for the counter-analyses and we cannot have an opinion before the results. What is certain is that Paul Pogba never wanted to break a rule,” indicates, among others, the lawyer who took over from Mino Raiola in a statement obtained by Le Figaro. Finally, the second opinion is (also) positive. And the ex-Manchester United player could be suspended for four years. We are now awaiting the reaction of Juventus Turin which could, according to the latest rumors, decide to terminate the contract which binds it to the midfielder until June 2026. The main interested party has one week to prepare his defense in a procedure which could last several weeks. If he proves the unintentionality of his action, his suspension could be reduced by two years.
Before his positive test and his suspension, Paul Pogba was faced with repeated injuries which hampered his return to Juventus Turin. On July 25, 2022, he injured the lateral meniscus of his right knee, during the Old Lady’s American tour. The native of Lagny-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne) wants to avoid an operation at all costs to be certain of playing in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar with the Blues. Almost a month later, he finally decided to play billiards…And missed the 2022 World Cup.
Also read “A very complicated year”: between his injuries and the extortion affair, Pogba “comes out” of the silence
His return with the Bianconeri is (even) more complicated than expected. He suffered a series of physical problems (groin tear, abductor tear, hamstring injury) in the second part of the season…and ultimately only participated in around ten matches in all competitions, accumulating a starving playing time (161 minutes). “This season has been cursed for him,” summarized his trainer Massimiliano Allegri in May. From non-operation to operation to all the minor injuries he suffered…”.
SEE ALSO – The return of Paul Pogba to Juventus Turin
In parallel with his physical problems, Paul Pogba had to face an incredible extortion affair, involving, among others, his brother Mathias, also a professional footballer. On August 3, 2022, following a complaint filed by the 2018 World Champion with the Turin public prosecutor’s office, the Paris public prosecutor’s office opened a preliminary investigation into “counts of organized gang extortion and attempted gang extortion organized and participation in a criminal association with a view to committing a crime”. This concerns “various facts of which Mr. Pogba was allegedly the victim between March and July 2022”.
Concretely, the one who has just left the Red Devils to return to the Bianconeri denounces several intimidations aimed at recovering a large sum of money, and above all, kidnapping by hooded and armed people – among whom, he claims to have recognized childhood friends -, on the night of March 19 to 20, 2022. In the end, several people were indicted and incarcerated, including his brother Mathias Pogba, who was released last December. Last September, “la Pioche” was confronted by five of his “relatives”, suspected of having had a role in this affair. A moment, for sure, trying for the Frenchman. One again.