Paul Pogba dancing with his teammates to celebrate a victory for the French team will bring back fond memories of 2018 for Les Bleus fans. Suspended for doping until September 2027 by the Italian authorities following a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the 31-year-old French international celebrated the French victory against Belgium (1-0) in the locker room.
Invited to Düsseldorf by the FFF in the company of his former midfield partner Blaise Matuidi, “La Pioche” first went to the Casa Bleue, the headquarters of French supporters in Germany for the duration of Euro 2024. Cheered on by the fans, the 2018 world champion enjoyed a walkabout before speaking on stage: “It’s a great pleasure. I see you’re all excited, I miss you. I came in supporter mode, like you.”
A long hug with Marcus Thuram
A supporter mode that the man with 91 caps under the blue jersey also engaged at the stadium. Present in the stands of the Merkur Spiel-Arena alongside former great names of French football such as Christian Karembeu or Lilian Thuram, Pogba pushed Didier Deschamps’ men during a tight round of 16, before showing his joy via an Instagram story at the end of the game.
Paul Pogba’s joy after France’s victory over Belgium. (Instagram screenshot)
The former Juventus Turin and Manchester United midfielder then invited himself into the dressing room of the vice-world champions to meet his former teammates. Dressed in civilian clothes, the player whose last selection dates back to March 29, 2022 against South Africa in a friendly match, notably offered a long hug with Marcus Thuram.
In the uncertainty surrounding his end of career, Pogba had announced through his entourage his intention to appeal the decision taken by the Italian anti-doping tribunal. Currently being studied by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, his case should be processed in the coming months. “We can expect a judgment for the end of 2024 or the beginning of 2025,” explained Tatiana Vassine, a business lawyer.
