Latest news with #Pogba
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Paul Pogba holds talks with Champions League club over return to football after the end of his 18-month doping ban
Paul Pogba has held talks with Monaco as he weighs up his next move after returning from his doping ban. The free agent, 32, officially returned from his suspension in March and last featured for Juventus against Empoli in September 2023. Pogba left Juventus in November last year and has been training to keep himself sharp for any suitors. The former Manchester United star shared pictures on Tuesday at an athletics and football facility with Roma striker Paulo Dybala and, somewhat bizarrely, Donald Trump 's businessman son-in-law Michael Boulos among others. The foul weather did not deter him from getting a workout in. Mail Sport exclusively revealed last year that Pogba had had his four-year ban cut to 18 months after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He also sat down with Mail Sport one-on-one to open up on the 'hell' of his ban and how it had impacted his life. 'We are all human, we all have feelings. When that (ban) happened, I realised what life is,' the World Cup winner said. 'Paul Pogba — the famous guy — is no more. People were avoiding me. I used to get invited to fashion weeks and events like that. 'Now they were like, 'We can't use Pogba'. My friends weren't ringing like the way they were ringing before. 'When people hear doping it's like they think you want to become the Incredible Hulk. That's how people used to see me. And public opinion means they can say what they want.' He also said: 'We went through hell. A time of darkness. But this is my second chance, I have to use it.' Moving to Monaco would represent his firts taste of domestic French football since he left Le Havre's academy in 2009. Adi Hutter's men finished third in Ligue 1 this season and have therefore qualified for the league phase of the Champions League. There is every chance he could face one of his old Premier League rivals, although there will be no reunion with Man United after they lost the Europa League final. The Frenchman eventually left Old Trafford on a free in the summer of 2022, six years after he had returned for a then-world record £89million fee. He returned to Juventus in 2022 but only managed 12 appearances due to injury troubles before a failed drugs test in August 2023. In February 2024, Pogba, then 30, was slapped with a four-year ban from football after failing the test. He had tested positive for testosterone after Juventus's first game of the 2023-24 season against Udinese, and was given his hefty punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor's office in Italy.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
From $105 Million to Zero for United Hero
Paul Pogba's electrifying talent once dazzled football fans worldwide, soaring from Manchester United's youth ranks to global stardom. His audacious flair, commanding presence, and World Cup winning heroics promised a legendary career. Yet, controversy and setbacks have left the once-unstoppable midfielder a free agent, searching for redemption. Pogba's journey began at Manchester United's academy, where his prodigious skill earned a first-team debut in 2011. Limited opportunities prompted a 2012 free transfer to Juventus, where he thrived, winning four consecutive Serie A titles and shining in the 2015 Champions League final. His $105 million return to United in 2016, a then-world-record fee, signaled sky-high expectations. Paul Pogba now has to tie his own shoelaces after a spectacular fall from grace. At United, Pogba's second stint sparkled intermittently but never sustained brilliance. He won the Europa League and League Cup in 2017, yet clashed with his manager, fueling inconsistency. By 2022, he left United on a free transfer again, rejoining Juventus amid fanfare. Advertisement Related: From Champs to Chumps with the Glazer Family. In Turin, injuries and a doping scandal derailed Pogba's comeback. In August 2023, he tested positive for DHEA, a banned substance, leading to a four-year ban, later reduced to 18 months. Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024, leaving him clubless. Related: Manchester United's Worst Season Ever Exposes Old Trafford Mismanagement Pogba remains a free agent, with no confirmed clubs in negotiations. Speculation links him to MLS's DC United or Marseille, but concrete offers are scarce. His last competitive match was September 2023. From $100 million World Cup Winner to Sinner and Unemployed Pogba's fall reflects a career of unfulfilled potential. Injuries limited him to 213 minutes in his final Juventus season. At 32, his dream of a 2026 World Cup return hinges on finding a club willing to bet on his tarnished legacy. Advertisement Despite interest from smaller leagues, top European clubs hesitate, wary of his over-weight baggage. Pogba insists he's no 'cheater' and trains rigorously in Miami, driven by 'anger' to reclaim his peak. His supporters, including former teammates, still see a 'champion' in him. Pogba's story is a cautionary tale of talent meeting tribulation. Once a $105 million marvel, he now faces an uncertain future. Can Pogba rewrite his narrative, or will football's prodigal son fade into obscurity like so many geniuses before him, have already? Next: Man United's Billion-Dollar Game Why Losing to Spurs Could Bankrupt Them
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Paul Pogba 'in talks' for shock move as KSI drops transfer hint on next club
Paul Pogba is yet to sign with a new club since his suspension reached its conclusion earlier this year and KSI has said the ex-Manchester United star could turn up in the Baller League KSI has suggested Paul Pogba is 'in talks' about a stint in the Baller League. The YouTuber has tipped the former Manchester United midfielder to make an appearance for the struggling N5 team, named after the postcode where his favourite team Arsenal play. League president KSI was asked to name who he would pick as a wildcard signing during coverage of Monday night's action at the Copper Box Arena in Stratford, London. And with a smile on his face, KSI said: "Ooooh.... Pogba. He's a free agent. We do follow each other on socials and we are in talks." Then asked which team he thinks would be best suited to the France star, who has not signed for a club since returning from a drugs ban, KSI said N5, which is managed by the former Arsenal stars Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Jens Lehmann. "It depends on who he wants but I feel like a player of that calibre would have to play for like an N5, a team that is at the bottom," he said. Pogba, 32, has not played professionally since September 2023. In February of last year he was handed a four-year suspension after a drugs test showed increased levels of testosterone. The World Cup winner insisted he would "never knowingly or deliberately" dope and later had the ban reduced upon a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. However he is yet to sign with a new club since being cleared to return earlier this year despite being linked with a host of clubs, including in the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer. Talk of a third stint at Manchester United was swiftly shut down with the latest speculation linking him with a move to DC United. The Baller League is an indoor six-a-side competition running every Monday until June featuring a host of celebrities and former players. Matches comprise of two 15-minute halves with players paid £400 per appearance. John Terry, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards are among the other footballing legends signed up for management and coaching roles. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Shock new frontrunner 'emerges as Paul Pogba's next club' - as former Man United star closes in on return to football after doping ban
A new contender has emerged to sign Paul Pogba as the former Manchester United midfielder prepares to make a return to the field after 20 months away, according to a report. Pogba has been without a team since mid-November when his Juventus contract was mutually terminated. The Frenchman was initially hit with a four-year ban from football in February last year after a drugs test found increased levels of testosterone in his system. However, the World Cup winner was handed a lifeline in October when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction from four years to 18 months following an appeal. Pogba's last competitive match came for Juventus in September 2023, while he last played 90 minutes in March 2022 when he still turned out for the Red Devils. Now, the 32-year-old is being eyed up by MLS outfit DC United, who have acquired his discovery rights, according to The Washington Post. The World Cup winner has not played in a competitive football game since September 2023 Discovery rights are a mechanism that allows a club in the MLS to claim the exclusive right to negotiate with a player who is not currently involved within the league. If another MLS club wanted to negotiate with Pogba, they would first have to purchase this right from DC United. It is believed that the capital team have been in talks with Pogba for months, as they try to agree on personal terms. During his time away from the field, Pogba has been linked with the likes of Marseille, Man City, Corinthians and Man United, as well as a plethora of MLS clubs. The 32-year-old has been training in Miami with coaches, working on both his football and physical fitness. However, Mail Sport previously reported Pogba is unlikely to sign with any club before the end of the current season. This week, KSI sensationally revealed that Pogba is 'one realistic wildcard' who he would love to see play in the Baller League. The YouTuber, boxer and influencer is president of the UK version of the popular six-a-side tournament that is hosted at the Copperbox Arena on Monday nights. 'Pogba, he's a free agent. We do follow each other on socials and we are in talks,' KSI said. KSI then laughed and was asked what team the World Cup winner would join if he did make the move. 'It depends on who he wants, but I feel like a player of that calibre would have to play for like an N5, a team that is at the bottom.' N5 are managed by Arsenal legends Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Jens Lehmann, with the name a reference to North London. Several celebrity players and managers are already involved in the competition, with the likes of Gary Lineker, John Terry, Alan Shearer and Luis Figo among those in charge of sides. Meanwhile, players are paid £400 per match and the teams include retired professionals such as Troy Deeney, futsal players, free agents and former academy stars who have recently been released.
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Paul Pogba is 'in talks' over SHOCK next career move - as former Man United star closes in on return to action after drugs ban
KSI has teased a sensational Baller League transfer scoop for former Man United star Paul Pogba. The YouTuber, boxer and influencer is president of the UK version of the popular six-a-side tournament that is hosted at the Copperbox Arena on Monday nights. Several celebrity players and managers are already involved in the competition, with the likes of Gary Lineker, John Terry, Alan Shearer and Luis Figo among those in charge of sides. Meanwhile, players are paid £400 per match and the teams include retired professionals such as Troy Deeney, futsal players, free agents and former academy stars who have recently been released. And, speaking on night six of the tournament, KSI was asked by Sky Sports 'one realistic wildcard' who he would love to see play in the Baller League. 'Ooooh.... Pogba,' KSI replied. The 31-year-old's answer led to a shocked reaction, before he added: 'Pogba, he's a free agent. We do follow each other on socials and we are in talks.' KSI then laughed and was asked what team the World Cup winner would join if he did make the move. 'It depends on who he wants, but I feel like a player of that calibre would have to play for like an N5, a team that is at the bottom.' N5 are managed by Arsenal legends Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg and Jens Lehmann, with the name a reference to North London. They currently sit bottom of the table, although N5 did pick up a first win against Santan FC on Monday. And when pressed on whether Pogba wouldn't want to hang around given they're at the bottom of the table, KSI added: 'They're in form (now).' Pogba, 32, hasn't played professionally since September 2023 after an injury-ravaged spell at Juventus. Things went from bad to worse for the Frenchman in February 2024 when he was hit with a four-year ban after failing a drugs test when increased levels of testosterone were found in his system. At the time, Pogba said he believed the verdict was 'incorrect' and added he would 'never knowingly or deliberately' dope. However, Pogba was handed a lifeline in October when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced the sanction from four years to 18 months following an appeal. Since his ban ended in March, the 32-year-old has been seen training in Miami with coaches, working on both his football and physical fitness. With his suspension coming to an end back in January, Pogba had been linked to several clubs, including Marseille, Man City, Corinthians, Man United and multiple Saudi Pro League clubs. He has also been heavily touted with a move to the MLS and The Athletic reported on Monday how DC United hold his discovery rights. This is a mechanism that allows a club to claim the exclusive right to have the first opportunity to negotiate with a player who is not currently involved within the league. However, Mail Sport previously reported how it was unlikely Pogba would join any club before the end of the season, opening the door to a possible Baller League cameo.
