In one of the first interviews he gave after the reduction of his doping sanction, Paul Pogbaworld champion with France in 2018 and has a contract in force with Juventus Turinsurrendered to the Spanish Lamine Yamal and ensured that it was not necessary to play in Europe to return to the national team.
“It’s everyone’s dream to do what he did (Yamal in Euro 2024). I’m happy for him, less happy for the goal he scored against France in the semi-finals (2-1, win for Spainon July 9), but it is something good for football,” he commented in an interview published this Thursday in ‘L’Equipe’ where he recounted the ordeal he experienced in the past two years.
One who was one of the best midfielders in the world in the last decade (now 31 years old) missed the World Cup Qatar at the end of 2022 due to a knee injury and, in 2023 already plagued by physical problems, he was suspended in September.
From the four-year sentence pronounced by the Italian authorities, the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS)) reduced it by 18 months, so in March 2025 he will be able to step on the playing field again.
The player, who has always defended his innocence, saying he relied on a supplement prescribed to him by a doctor in Florida (USA), spoke about his difficult situation in Juventus Turinwith whom he has a contract until 2026.
The coach of the transalpine club, the Italian-Brazilian Thiago Motta (formerly of Barça), refers to Pogba in the past tense (“he was a good player”).
“Of course (that statement) hurts. It means, I’m done, I’m no longer a player, I’ve finished my career. I don’t think he really thinks that. Today he is the coach of Juventus. I haven’t had chance to find him and talk to him personally,” he added.
After two and a half years without playing for ‘Les Bleus’ (his last match started on March 29, 2022 in a friendly against South Africa), ‘La Pioche’ – ‘the peak’, the nickname of which he is known for France– has 91 international matches and 11 goals since making his debut in 2013.
“We don’t have to play for a European club to be in the national team,” said the former club midfielder. Manchester Unitedwho gave as an example N’Golo Kanté (currently in Saudi Arabia and regularly scheduled) o André-Pierre Gignac (at Tigres de México and played in the 2016 Euro Cup).
“Of course it is objective for me to return to the national team, but we have to be realistic. Now I am not playing. I need to earn my place,” he added.
Regarding this year of punishment, he thanked the French coach for the support, Didier Deschampss, and other football legends like Didier Drogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Cristiano Ronaldowith whom he spoke.
“It has been 10 years of life at once that I have taken. I have seen what real life is and that changes you forever. The messages you receive are not the same, nor are the calls,” he acknowledged.
Along with the suspension and injuries, the last two years the player was charged with a profane court case.
Mathias Pogbabrother of Paulwill be tried, along with five other close friends of the two, for attempted blackmail and criminal association for the alleged extortion and kidnapping of the footballer in 2022.
“The main danger (of football players) is not finding people who will protect you and who you can really be with, who will not take advantage of you. The footballer needs to be surrounded well,” he admitted.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
