Paul Pogba has spoken candidly about the personal struggles he endured following his doping ban, offering a raw glimpse into the emotional challenges that came with his suspension from football. The 32-year-old French midfielder revealed that his identity and relationships were profoundly impacted the moment he was no longer seen as “Pogba the superstar.”
The ban stemmed from a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s prohibited list due to its testosterone-boosting properties. Pogba was tested after Juventus’ opening match of the 2023–24 season against Udinese. Though initially handed a four-year suspension, it was later reduced to 18 months in October 2024 following an appeal.
During that time, Pogba experienced a dramatic shift in how he was treated by those around him. He confessed that even his wife grew distant, a painful reality that continues to affect him deeply. “The moment I stopped being ‘Pogba the superstar,’ people vanished,” he shared. “Even my wife distanced herself and that still breaks me.”
As one of football’s most high-profile figures, Pogba was accustomed to attention and admiration. However, his fall from grace was swift and isolating. He described how invitations to high-profile fashion events stopped coming, business opportunities disappeared, and his phone went silent. “I’ve made peace with it,” he added. “That’s life. Sometimes it’s in losing everything that you see what really matters.”
Despite the hardship, Pogba’s story is now taking a new turn. In June 2025, he signed a two-year deal with Monaco, marking his return to competitive football and his debut in France’s Ligue 1. Overcome with emotion, he thanked the club for placing their trust in him and vowed to begin a new chapter with renewed purpose. He concluded his announcement with the word “La renaissance” – the rebirth.
Pogba’s return comes after a mutual termination of his contract with Juventus in November. As a free agent, he began training again in March, determined to reclaim his place on the pitch.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport ultimately ruled that Pogba had taken the banned substance inadvertently. Interestingly, the final judgement noted that DHEA only has a performance-enhancing effect in females, further complicating the narrative surrounding his ban.
From his early days at Manchester United to his trophy-laden spell at Juventus and his role in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, Pogba’s career has seen dramatic highs. Now, with a new beginning at Monaco, he is ready to rebuild not just his professional path but also his identity beyond the fame.
