Noël Korteweg16 Oct 2024, 21:46
Last updated: Oct 16, 2024, 9:46 PM
Paul Pogba wants nothing more than to return to Juventus. The 31-year-old midfielder said this in conversation with La Gazzetta dello Sport. Pogba is even willing to give up part of his salary to be able to play for again the Old Lady.
At the end of February, the Italian anti-doping tribunal sentenced Pogba to a four-year ban. The Frenchman has been temporarily sidelined since September 2023 after testing positive for testosterone use. That happened on August 20, 2023, after the match between Juventus and Udinese. Pogba didn’t even get in line.
Pogba’s football career seemed as good as over due to that suspension, as he would only be able to return to the highest level at the age of 34. However, the midfielder continued to maintain his innocence and decided to appeal against the suspension, which was successful. The CAS decided to reduce his suspension to eighteen months.
Various Italian media reported last week that Juventus would be in the process of tearing up Pogba’s contract. If it were up to the Frenchman himself, that wouldn’t happen at all. Pogba really wants to play matches for Juventus again.
“What kind of Pogba can we expect after this long absence? It will be a new Pogba,” the midfielder said in conversation with the pink Italian sports newspaper. “Hungier, wiser, stronger. I’ve only been working with individual trainers for the past year and I’m ready to return in 2025. I only have one thing I long for and that is to play football.”
Pogba thanks the Juventus fans. “Their love never stopped. Many previous and current teammates have also always supported me. Juan Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh. Paulo Dybala sent me messages, Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Moise Kean… I didn’t expect so many, also because we all have our own problems in everyday life.”
The 91-time international of France has not yet been able to see or speak to Thiago Motta, the trainer of the Italian top club since this summer. “That will come. I am ready to train and play for Juve. I’m a Juve player, that’s just what’s in my head at the moment.” Pogba does not want to have to convince Motta in a conversation to be allowed to return to the club.
“The field will speak and then Motta can judge with his own eyes, based on what he sees. Talking is fun, but I want to play and be the best at Juventus and France.” That Pogba is seriously dreaming of his return to the Old Lady becomes abundantly clear. “I am willing to give up money to play for Juventus again. I want to come back.”
