Pogba Set for Return to Professional Football After Doping Ban

Paul Pogba appears poised to resume his football career after completing an 18-month ban due to a doping violation. The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder was initially handed a four-year suspension following a positive test for testosterone, but this was later reduced to 18 months.

Now eligible to play again, Pogba is reportedly close to signing with Ligue 1 club Monaco, with a medical scheduled after they agreed on a two-year contract earlier this week. A recent Instagram post shows Pogba traveling and relaxed in an airport lounge, hinting at his imminent return. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano previously stated that Pogba is traveling to Monaco for a medical exam before finalizing the deal.

Despite not having played a competitive match since September 2023, Pogba has shared updates on his training regime on social media, signaling his readiness to return. If confirmed, his signing with Monaco would see him re-enter the Champions League, as the club qualified by finishing third in Ligue 1 this season. Although a World Cup winner with France, Pogba has yet to feature in France’s top league.

Background on the Suspension

Pogba tested positive after Juventus’s opening game of the 2023-24 season, leading to a hefty four-year ban by Italian authorities. However, in October 2024, CAS reduced his suspension after official reviews revealed he had inadvertently ingested DHEA, a testosterone booster banned by WADA, which is not considered to affect women.

Pogba’s Perspective

In an interview last year, Pogba recounted the moment he learned he would be allowed to play again. He described the scene: trying on a suit for a film premiere when his lawyer called with the news. Initially in shock, he spoke of the darkness he experienced during his ban but emphasized that this period was also a second chance—motivating him to return stronger.

Pogba posted a smiling photo from an airport lounge hinting at his return.