The midfielder wants to be included in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but the decision is up to coach Didier Deschamps.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is keen to return to football after his doping ban was reduced from four years to 18 months and dreams of playing for France at the 2026 World Cup. He said he was there.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled after the 31-year-old athlete received a provisional suspension from Italy’s National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after testing positive for the banned substance DHEA. , his suspension was lifted earlier this month. Increases testosterone levels.
Pogba, who told CAS that his DHEA intake was unintentional, will be eligible to play for Juventus in March – and Pogba will be eligible to play for Juventus in March – and Pogba believes he is stronger and better to play for the Italian club. He said he is smart and willing to take a pay cut.
“I’m ready to go back to normal in 2025. My only desire is to play football. The reality is that I’m a Juve player and I want to prepare to play for Juve. ”, Pogba told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.
“I don’t need to speak, the pitch will speak and (coach) Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes and based on what he sees. “I would even give up money to play for Juve again. I want to go back,” added the player, whose contract with Juventus runs until June 2026.
Pogba, who last played for Juventus more than a year ago in the 2-0 win over Empoli, said receiving his first suspension was the most difficult moment of his career.
“It’s been a very difficult year, and the most painful part was not being able to go indoors to train or play at Juventus, spending every day outside the stadium, and having to spend every day at (Juventus’ training center) Conti… Nassa took the kids to school.
“Many past and present teammates have always supported me. (Juan) Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh.”
Pogba added that as well as returning to his best form with the Serie A team, he also wants to return to Didier Deschamps’ France squad in time for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
“The World Cup dream is there, but Deschamps doesn’t open the door to anyone. He told me to do the job, so it’s up to me to open it or not,” said the midfielder. .
Pogba’s contract with the Italian giants expires in June 2026, and his current annual salary is 8 million euros (approximately 868 million yen).
During his suspension, the midfielder will only receive the minimum salary stipulated in Serie A’s collective agreement, which is just over 2,000 euros (approximately $2,170) per month.
