French footballer Paul Pogba has accused his former club Juventus of neglecting him during his 18-month doping suspension, claiming he felt abandoned at a pivotal stage in his career.
In an interview with Sept à Huit on TF1, the 32-year-old midfielder revealed that his requests for fitness assistance while serving the ban were ignored by the Italian giants.
“I asked Juventus for help, but I wasn’t given it. I asked to get a fitness coach, as I was still part of the team. I had the right to get it. Let’s say Juventus didn’t support me, and that stuck with me,” Pogba stated.
Pogba tested positive for a banned substance after Juventus’ Serie A clash with Udinese in 2023, despite not featuring in the match. Initially handed a four-year ban, his suspension was later reduced to 18 months.
“I thought I was at war with anti-doping authorities, not Juventus. I couldn’t keep taking my kids to school every day, passing by the stadium and knowing I couldn’t play for a long time,” he added.
Juventus officially terminated Pogba’s contract in November 2024, leaving him a free agent. He is now expected to sign a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Despite the challenges, Pogba insists he is ready for a fresh start:
“I’m mentally and physically ready. I’m 32, but I still feel like a kid,” he said.
Pogba enjoyed success at Juventus during his first spell between 2012 and 2016, making 178 appearances, scoring 34 goals, and winning four Serie A titles.
