French football player Paul Pogba is eligible to return to the pitch again from Tuesday, as his 18-month suspension for doping ended, but he still needs to secure a new club.
The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder aims to leave behind a tumultuous three years and is looking for a new team to participate in the 2026 World Cup, with David Beckham’s MLS team Inter Miami being one of his potential options.
The player, who has earned 91 caps for France, faced numerous injuries and inconsistent performances, ultimately leading to his exit from United in 2022. He returned for a second period at Juventus, where he continued to experience challenges.
A positive drug test following a match in Italy in August 2023 resulted in a four-year suspension for doping, which was later reduced on appeal.
Pogba attributed the positive test to a dietary supplement that a doctor in the United States had prescribed him.
Juventus terminated his contract last November, but according to a member of his team, Pogba “is training at full intensity, he’s maintaining a positive attitude, and has received many offers.”
His ultimate ambition remains next year’s World Cup, but a player who turns 32 this week would first need to earn the confidence of France coach Didier Deschamps. Pogba maintains regular communication with Deschamps, as he is “one of his advisors for sporting decisions,” per a close associate of the player.
However, it remains to be seen who might show interest in signing a player whose last appearance was on September 3, 2023, when he took the field for Juventus.
In January, Pogba indicated on social media that he had received “offers that weren’t very appealing,” including an option to “play in Russia, but that’s not the goal.”
He acknowledged that obtaining a contract “doesn’t solely depend on me, but on many other factors.”
Pogba resides in Florida and attended Inter’s inaugural MLS match against New York City on February 23 this season. He is enhancing his physical fitness with the trainer of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi.
He has been posting images of his rigorous training sessions for his 62.7 million Instagram followers, alongside photos showcasing his other passion for fashion.
French club Marseille has also been mentioned as a potential suitor since football director Medhi Benatia played alongside Pogba at Juventus. However, Marseille might hesitate to recruit a player whose performance may be uncertain following such an extended absence.
Pogba’s personal life has also encountered significant turmoil; in 2022, he was the victim of a kidnapping and extortion case, leading to prison sentences for his brother Mathias and five of his childhood friends.
