Paul Pogba is reportedly close to making a highly-anticipated return to football, with advanced discussions taking place for his next club following the lifting of his current ban. The French midfielder, whose career has faced recent turmoil, is seeing a hopeful path ahead after his suspension for doping was significantly reduced, allowing him to resume training by January 2025.
Initially, Pogba faced a daunting four-year ban after testing positive for DHEA, a substance that boosts hormone production. However, following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), his suspension was reduced to 18 months, providing a chance to restart his career. This change allows him to train again by early 2025, with a potential return to competitive play as early as March.
Juventus, his current club, is expected to mutually terminate his contract, marking the end of a challenging second stint with the team. Pogba, who rejoined Juventus in 2022 after leaving Manchester United, has struggled with injuries and the doping scandal that has overshadowed his time there. As he prepares to leave Turin, he is exploring his options for the next phase of his career.
One promising development comes from journalist Malick Traore of NCI, who reports that Marseille is making significant strides in negotiations to bring Pogba back to France. This potential move has sparked interest throughout Europe, with fans eagerly awaiting news of his next destination. If the deal goes through in January, Pogba would join a talented squad that includes his former Manchester United teammate Mason Greenwood, Neal Maupay, and Pierre Emile-Højbjerg. Under the management of ex-Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille is positioning itself as a competitive force in Ligue 1.
Additionally, Marseille has recently strengthened its midfield by signing Adrien Rabiot, another of Pogba’s former Juventus teammates, on a free transfer. The prospect of reuniting with familiar faces only adds to the excitement around his possible return, marking a significant chapter in Pogba’s career as he comes back to France after years in England and Italy.
Pogba’s suspension saga began with a positive DHEA test during the first match of the 2023/24 season in August. The ruling in October 2023 cast uncertainty over his future, but Pogba has consistently maintained his innocence, claiming the positive result stemmed from a doctor-prescribed nutritional supplement with no performance-enhancing effects.
After his successful appeal, Pogba expressed immense relief in a public statement. “Finally, the nightmare is over,” he said, as reported by Sami Mokbel from the Daily Mail. He reiterated his stance that he did not intentionally violate anti-doping regulations and thanked the judges for their fair consideration of his case. Acknowledging the distress of the past few months, he expressed gratitude for the support he received during this challenging time.
As the football world eagerly anticipates Pogba’s return, there is renewed hope that he can reclaim his status as one of the most influential midfielders of his generation. Whether with Marseille or another club, Pogba’s journey is far from over, and fans globally will be watching closely as he takes his next steps toward redemption and success.
