Paul Pogba is reportedly on the verge of making a highly-anticipated return to football, with advanced talks underway for him to join a new club once his current ban is lifted. The French midfielder, whose career has been marred by controversy in recent months, is now seeing light at the end of the tunnel after his suspension for doping was significantly reduced, allowing him to resume training by January 2025.
Initially, Pogba faced the daunting prospect of a four-year suspension from football after testing positive for DHEA, a substance that enhances hormone production, including testosterone. This suspension would have effectively ended his career at the top level. However, after a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the ban was cut to 18 months, offering Pogba a lifeline. This reduced sentence will enable him to start training in early 2025, with a potential return to competitive action as early as March of the same year.
Juventus, Pogba’s current club, is expected to mutually terminate his contract, signaling the end of a tumultuous second spell at the Italian giants. The Frenchman, who rejoined Juventus in 2022 after leaving Manchester United, has had a difficult time due to injuries and the doping scandal that overshadowed his season. With his departure from Turin imminent, Pogba is now exploring his options for the next chapter of his career.
One of the most exciting developments comes from journalist Malick Traore of NCI, who reports that Marseille is making significant progress in their negotiations to bring Pogba back to France. This potential move has sparked interest across Europe, as fans eagerly await confirmation of Pogba’s next destination. If the deal goes through in January, Pogba would be joining a squad brimming with talent, including his former Manchester United teammate Mason Greenwood, Neal Maupay, and Pierre Emile-Højbjerg. Under the guidance of ex-Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille is positioning itself as a force to be reckoned with in Ligue 1.
Moreover, the French side recently bolstered its midfield by signing Adrien Rabiot, Pogba’s former teammate at Juventus, on a free transfer. The possibility of Pogba linking up with familiar faces in Marseille only adds to the intrigue surrounding his potential return. Such a move would mark a significant chapter in Pogba’s career, bringing him back to his homeland after years of playing abroad in England and Italy.
The saga surrounding Pogba’s suspension began when he tested positive for DHEA during the first match of the 2023/24 season in August. The verdict, which came in October 2023, cast a shadow over his future, but Pogba has always maintained his innocence. He has consistently denied knowingly taking any banned substances, claiming that the positive test was the result of a doctor-prescribed nutritional supplement that had no performance-enhancing effects.
Following his successful appeal, Pogba expressed his immense relief in a public statement. “Finally, the nightmare is over,” he said, as reported by Sami Mokbel from the Daily Mail. “With the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s decision, I can look forward to pursuing my dreams again. I have always maintained that I did not intentionally violate anti-doping regulations when I used a doctor-prescribed nutritional supplement that does not enhance athletic performance.”
Pogba also emphasized his commitment to playing with integrity, acknowledging the strict nature of anti-doping regulations while thanking the judges for considering his case fairly. He admitted that the past few months had been incredibly distressing, with his career hanging in the balance, but expressed gratitude for the support he received during this challenging period.
As the football world eagerly awaits Pogba’s return, there is renewed hope that he can reclaim his place as one of the most influential midfielders of his generation. Whether in France with Marseille or elsewhere, Pogba’s journey is far from over, and fans around the globe will be watching closely as he takes his next steps toward redemption and a trium
phant comeback.