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In his recent interview, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba spoke about how he is not a cheater, and is willing to take a salary cut to stay in Juventus. For the unversed, Paul Pogba got a four-year ban in February after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). However, his suspension has been reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upon appeal. He is free to resume playing in March 2025. The 31-year-old, who got suspended by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal (NaDo) Italy for doping, accepted the injected substance wasn't intentional.
Post his doping ban, Pogba, in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, expressed his thoughts on the matter and his plans to return to the pitch. After his contract with Manchester United expired, Pogba joined Juventus a couple of years ago. Now that his contract with the Italian giants is going to expire in the summer of 2026, Pogba is eager to resume practicing with his teammates next year, to regain his footing in the side.
I am not a cheater, but a bad loser: Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba, on doping ban, accepts that he was responsible for the entire scenario of his getting banned. However, he doesn't want to be called a cheater. "This is not me, I'm not a cheater. I'm someone that loves my sport, I love the game, and I would never, ever cheat. I like to win fairly. I'm a bad loser but I'm not a cheater," Pogba remarked.
The Frenchman accepts that he took the substance, but the four-year ban was too much for him to handle. He earlier stated that the verdict was wrong and appealed against the ban, and said, "I didn't triple check, let's say it like that, even if it came from a professional. If I have to be punished, I am fine, but it should never be four years."
Pogba is keen to get onto the pitch and train with his Juventus teammates by stating, "My main focus is to get back training, be fit, and be on the pitch doing what I love." The 31-year-old initially considered retiring and concentrating on his personal life, but his hunger for the game returned him. "I am still the same player with a different hunger, more motivated and hungry," he said.
Notably, Pogba made his international football debut for France in 2013. He is credited with 11 goals and has won 91 caps, apart from securing the FIFA World Cup 2018. He was last seen playing for Les Bleus in March 2022, in a friendly match against South Africa.
