Pogba ´mentally and physically ready´ for return to action – Soccer News

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Paul Pogba insisted that he is “mentally and physically ready” to make his return to professional football after an almost two-year absence.

Pogba last turned out for Juventus in September 2023, playing 28 minutes in a 2-0 win over Empoli in Serie A before being provisionally suspended due to a failed drug test.

The 32-year-old was then handed a four-year doping ban in February 2024 and reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract at Juventus last November.

Pogba’s ban has since been reduced to 18 months, allowing him to begin training in January this year and play professionally once again in March.

The World Cup winner is yet to find a new club, but has reportedly agreed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.

He had also been linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad and to several clubs in the MLS, but Pogba is ready and raring to go wherever he ends up.

“I’m mentally and physically ready, and I’m eager to start again. I’m 32, but I still feel like a kid,” Pogba said.

Pogba made 190 appearances in all competitions across two spells with Juventus, having originally joined them from Manchester United in 2012 before returning to Old Trafford four years later.

He was unable to make a similar impact in his second stint, featuring just 12 times across all competitions before his ban came into place.

And the midfielder stressed his disappointment with the lack of support he received from Juventus during his ban.

“I asked Juventus for help, but I wasn’t given it,” Pogba told Sept a huit on TF1. “I asked to get a fitness coach, as I was still part of the team. I had the right to get it.

“Let’s say Juventus didn’t support me, and that struck with me. I didn’t understand why. I thought I was at war with anti-doping authorities, not Juventus.

“I couldn’t keep taking my kids to school every day, passing by the stadium and the training centre, and knowing I wouldn’t be able to play for a long time.

“My kids kept asking me when I’d be back on the pitch and when they could watch me at the stadium again.”