Paul Pogba insists he is not retiring from football despite his four-year doping ban.
Recall, in a viral video on social media recently, Pogba in a moment of deep emotional vulnerability, opened up about his struggle with life and how football, a sport he once loved passionately, has now become a source of misery and turmoil.
The Juventus midfielder was handed the sanction in February after testing positive for DHEA in September – a compound that promotes the production of hormones in the body including testosterone.
The ruling means the France international is banned until August 2027, when he will be aged 34. In September, Pogba was quoted by Al Jazeera saying he is considering retirement. …CONTINUE READING
But in an interview with Sky Italy, Pogba insists he wants to fight the “injustice” of his ban, which is being appealed, and that he is still planning on returning to football.
“There’s still a chance to fight this injustice, which is what I believe it is,” he said.
“Let’s see. Things are hopefully going to get better. I am always positive, but let’s see.
“I have never said I am finished, that Paul Pogba doesn’t exist anymore. Because Pogba is still here. Today I’m here. I am Pogba. You have never seen me say that I’m finished.
“I still feel like a footballer, I’m still training and these are now moments where I have to be positive. I’m with my family, spending a lot of time with them, watching my kids grow up.”
Asked what his situation with Juventus is, Pogba replied: “The latest news is I’m still a Juventus player. So you need to speak to them.
“I am still contracted to them, I haven’t had the chance to speak to them, the sporting director nor the coach. I don’t know much, there’s a bit of silence. Maybe they’re waiting for the appeal to see what happens, but the rest you have to ask them.”