A move to MLS or the Saudi Pro League could be on the cards for Paul Pogba, who returns after an 18-month doping ban.
Paul Pogba took a major step toward his return to professional football on Tuesday, March 11: the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder completed his 18-month ban, imposed for the 2023-24 season after testing positive for a banned substance. Pogba tested positive in a doping control after the Udinese-Juventus match on 20 August 2023.
A non-endogenous substance was detected in his results, which led to a provisional suspension on 11 September 2023. The Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal imposed a four-year ban on him for doping on 29 February 2024. On 4 October 2024, this ban was reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return to training from January 2025. His contract with Juventus was terminated by mutual agreement in November 2024.
Exotic Destination for Pogba
According to Italian media outlets Gazzetta and Repubblica (via Football Italia), Pogba’s most likely destinations remain Major League Soccer (MLS) or the Saudi Pro League. After spending time with his family in Miami, Pogba could consider joining David Beckham’s Inter Miami or the wealthy Saudi Pro League, where French stars like N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema play at Al-Ittihad. Furthermore, former Juventus manager Pavel Nedved recently joined Al-Shabab as sporting director.
The last time Pogba played a full 90 minutes was almost three years ago to the day, on March 12, 2022, in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.
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