Bye-bye football: Paul Pogba makes remarkable career move
Paul Pogba, age 31, was suspended in August 2023 after testing positive for testosterone. This led to a four-year ban, which was later shortened, making it possible to return in 2025. While sidelined, he focused on acting and other non-football-related activities that garnered him significant social media support.
The former French midfielder was signed on to star in the forthcoming film '4 Zeros', portraying a youth football coach. The movie is set to be released in 2025.
"Super happy to appear in the movie," shared Paul Pogba on Instagram.
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The Juventus boss, Thiago Motta, may not have room for the former prodigy upon his return. "On Paul Pogba, the club will evaluate what to do. As for me, Pogba has been a great player, who hasn't played for a long time," shared the Brazilian coach.
Pogba, tested positive for DHEA — which naturally boosts testosterone production — in August 2023, as reported by The Sun. The former Manchester United star claimed he took it by accident.
The Anti-Doping Prosecutor’s Office dismissed Pogba’s pleas and handed him a four-year ban in February — likely ending the French World Cup winner’s playing career.
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In a fortunate turn of events for the embattled midfielder, that ban was reduced to just 18 months after winning his case at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
This means Pogba would be available to play again after March 2025, and begin training in January.
But it appears that will not be at Juventus, with Fabrizio Romano claiming all parties are now close to agreeing a deal that will see Pogba terminate his Turin contract, Sky Sports reports.
Following his initial ban, Pogba requested a secondary test to be done on the positive sample, unfortunately for the former Manchester United midfielder, this test also came back positive, per Sky Sports.
The midfielder played just twice at the start of the 2023/24 campaign, after rejoining from United.
New Juve boss Thiago Motta has since taken his squad in a fresh direction and appears to have little interest in the Frenchman. Speaking before the 1-1 draw with Cagliari, Motta said: "The club will decide what to do with Pogba."
"For me, he was a great player, he hasn’t played for a long time," Motta said, hinting at his lack of interest in the World Cup winner.
Pogba himself is said to agree that a new start is the best course of action, but time will tell. With '4 Zeros' set to release in 2025, fans will be eager to see him back on a patch.
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