Paul Pogba has shared an emotional update on his social media, revealing that he is on the brink of returning to football after a long absence. The 31-year-old midfielder, who has been suspended due to a doping ban, will be allowed to rejoin first-team training in January. He will then be eligible to play competitive matches starting in March.
Pogba, who was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels, appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. The court reduced his ban from four years to 18 months, beginning in September 2023.
As the former Manchester United star approaches his return, there have been speculations about a potential move to Olympique Marseille. Pogba, however, has dismissed these rumors, telling L’Equipe last month that they were “not credible.” He emphasized that he is still under contract with Juventus, though he left the door open to a future move, saying, “It feels like I’ve been given another chance. March feels just around the corner, and I can’t wait.”
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Regarding reports of a possible reunion with former teammate Mason Greenwood, Pogba laughed off the idea, attributing the speculation to a joke by Patrick Evra. He confirmed, “I’m still under contract at Juventus, so it’s not something I’m focused on. Right now, my only priority is returning to the pitch.”
On Instagram, Pogba shared his excitement for his comeback, writing, “I miss you… a lot!! I’m getting ready to come back. I promise.” His post quickly went viral, amassing over 1.5 million likes and more than 10,000 comments, with Jadon Sancho, now on loan at Chelsea, showing his support, commenting, “I can’t wait for you to return!”
Meanwhile, former Arsenal defender Bacary Sagna has urged Mikel Arteta to consider signing Pogba, especially given the Gunners’ struggles this season. Speaking on talkSPORT, Sagna said, “It would be great for Arsenal. He has the experience and thrives when playing alongside younger players, like he did at the 2018 World Cup. Arsenal’s young team could be the perfect environment for him, and the fans would love him.”
Sagna believes Pogba, having had time away from football, is now primed for a fresh start and could add valuable depth to a club like Arsenal. “He can start from scratch, with a renewed desire to get back to his best,” Sagna added.