Pogba: “I would have quit football” if four-year ban stood

Paul Pogba has revealed he considered walking away from football altogether had his initial four-year doping suspension been upheld.

The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder opened up in an interview with GQ France, stating that the initial ruling left him disillusioned and convinced the authorities had ignored his side of the story.

“I would have quit football had I taken four years. I didn’t want to say it publicly, but that’s what I thought,” Pogba admitted.

The 2018 World Cup winner tested positive for a banned substance following Juventus’ match against Udinese in August 2023.

After receiving the maximum penalty and being banned from any professional football activity, his contract with Juventus was terminated in November 2024.

Barred from using the club’s facilities, Pogba described an isolating period in which he trained alone in Turin, away from his teammates.

“I took the ball and played outside, alone. I made do with what I had,” he said. “But I didn’t want to stay in Turin… dropping my children at school next to the training ground—it was painful.”

Pogba’s suspension was later reviewed and reduced, allowing him to resume competitive football in March 2025.