Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, in an exclusive interview, shared his ordeal following his doping ban.
The Frenchman discussed how his fame declined, how he lost significant endorsements, and how he struggled to secure new ones after receiving a four-year ban from football.
“We are all human, we all have feelings. I’m telling you, when that ban happened, I truly realized what life is.”
“Paul Pogba – the famous guy – is no more. People were avoiding me. I used to get invited to fashion weeks and events like that. Now they were like, ‘We can’t use Pogba’.”
Pogba also asserted that his best season at Manchester United came during the transition from José Mourinho to Ole Gunnar Solskjær. He revealed that he had wanted to leave the club after that season because his heart was no longer in it, but all efforts to secure a transfer proved abortive. Nevertheless, he remained professional.
“I’ll tell you something I’ve never told anyone. The year José left and Ole came, that was my best season at United. But after the last game, I told Ole and Ed Woodward that I thought it was my last year and that I wanted to leave.”
“I was 27 back then. It didn’t work out the way I wanted. I gave my best, but I didn’t see the club progressing.”
“I spoke to Ed to try to make a move, but he blocked it. I didn’t want to play for United anymore, but I had to stay professional.”
Even though Juventus is reportedly not willing to renew his contract, the 31-year-old is still eager to play for the Italian club and is willing to take a pay cut to remain with them.
“I’m willing to take a salary cut to stay at Juventus. I’m just thinking about training and playing for Juve. In my head today, that’s all I focus on.”
“It’s not me who needs to speak. The pitch will do the talking, and Thiago Motta will judge with his eyes. I want to play and give my best for France and Juve.”
Pogba was initially handed a four-year doping ban, of which he has served one year. However, the ban was reduced following an appeal.
He began his career at Manchester United but moved to Juventus at a young age, where he rose to stardom. Manchester United later brought him back, but he returned to Juventus before the ban was imposed.
Throughout his career, Pogba has won numerous trophies, including four Serie A titles with Juventus. He also won the UEFA Europa League and the EFL Cup with Manchester United. With the French national team, he was part of the squad that won the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2021 UEFA Nations League.
