Paul Pogba has broken in silence on social media ahead of his return to football. The 31-year-old midfielder will be able to return to first-team training in January following the conclusion of his doping ban before being eligible to play in competitive matches from March.
He was suspended by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado) in February after a random drug test found increased levels of testosterone in his system. Pogba appealed the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, who reduced the sanction from four years to 18 months, starting from September 2023.
As the former Manchester United nears a return, he’s been heavily linked with a move to Olympique Marseille – which he’s ruled out. Speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe last month, Pogba described reports as ‘not credible’, insisting that he’s still under contract at Juventus.
However, the France international, whose deal in Turin runs until June 2026, left the door open to an exit. He said: “It’s like I have been given another chance, I got back what had been taken away and provided with a new lease of life. March feels like it’s tomorrow, it’ll come fast and I cannot wait.”
On a move to Marseille, and a reunion with Mason Greenwood, Pogba added: “I laugh, because it is Uncle Pat [Patrick Evra], he said it as a joke. I am still under contract, so it is not credible.
“I already have a club, so I only thinking about returning and getting out of this situation. Of course, nobody knows what tomorrow holds, so never say never.”
Nevertheless, Pogba has been counting down the days before he steps back onto the pitch. On Instagram, the Frenchman announced he’s stepped up preparations, writing: “I miss you.. a lot!! I’m getting ready to come back. I promise.”
Astonishingly, Pogba’s post eclipsed 1.5million likes and 10k comments. Jadon Sancho, who left United in the summer to join Chelsea on loan, showed his support for the midfielder, writing: “I can’t wait for you to return!”
With Arsenal struggling to impress this season Bacary Sagna has urged Mikel Arteta to consider signing Pogba. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “It would be great – he has experience. He loves to play with young players around him – that is when he is most efficient.
“At the 2018 World Cup, that was when he was most efficient – he had friends around him. Arsenal have a young, fresh team, and I see him performing in an Arsenal shirt. He will get love from their fans.
“Now, he can start from scratch again. He’s had time away from football, and he’ll be back with a desire to get back into a good space and play football again.”