Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has shared a deeply personal reflection on his experience following the doping scandal that led to his football ban.
Speaking to Daily Mail, Pogba opened up about how the suspension changed his life, leading him to a greater understanding of himself and the harsh realities that accompanied his fall from grace.
“We are all human, we all have feelings,” Pogba said, describing the moment he was notified of his ban. “I’m telling you, when that ban happened, I truly realised what life is.”
The 31-year-old, who was initially handed a four-year ban for elevated testosterone levels, saw his suspension reduced to 18 months after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) accepted his claim that he had unknowingly ingested a banned substance.
Pogba explained the impact of the ban on his social life and public image, revealing that he felt abandoned by people who had previously been close to him.
“Paul Pogba – the famous guy – is no more. People were avoiding me. I used to get invited to fashion weeks and events like that. Now they were like: ‘we can’t use Pogba’,” he shared. He also noted how his friends stopped reaching out as often, adding, “My friends weren’t ringing like they were ringing before.”
The French international admitted his mistake in not thoroughly checking the supplements he took, even though they came from a trusted professional.
He remains focused on his comeback, which he hopes will begin in January when he can resume training with Juventus.
Pogba’s ban officially started on September 11, 2023, meaning he can return to play in March 2025.
Source:
3news.com
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