Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has shared the emotional toll of his doping ban, which has drastically altered his personal life and career.
In an interview with the Daily Mail, Pogba reflected on the moment his ban was announced, describing it as a wake-up call to the harsh realities of life.
The 31-year-old was initially handed a four-year ban for elevated testosterone levels, which was later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after it was found he had unknowingly taken a banned substance.
Pogba revealed that the scandal led to feelings of isolation, as people he once considered friends and associates distanced themselves from him.
“Paul Pogba – the famous guy – is no more. People were avoiding me. I used to get invited to fashion weeks, but now they were like, ‘we can’t use Pogba,’” he shared. He also noted how his social circle shrank, saying, “My friends weren’t ringing like they used to.”
Pogba admitted fault for not checking the supplements he took, even though they were provided by a trusted professional.
However, he remains focused on his comeback, hoping to resume training with Juventus in January and return to playing in March 2025, when his ban ends.
His ban officially began on September 11, 2023.
