Pogba Claims That Playing Football Is His Only Passion And That He Hopes To Represent France In 2026 World Cup

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, excited about his upcoming return to football following the reduction of his doping ban from four years to 18 months, passionately expressed his dream of representing France at the prestigious 2026 World Cup. 

The prospect of showcasing his skill on the grand stage of the World Cup, uniting with his national team, fills his heart with motivation and determination as he aims to make a remarkable impact and contribute significantly towards his country’s success in the tournament.

“I am ready to return to normal in 2025”

The 31-year-old’s punishment was shortened by the Court of Arbitration for Sport earlier this month. In September 2023, the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO Italia) in Italy temporarily suspended him after he tested positive for the prohibited drug DHEA, which raises testosterone levels. 

Pogba will be able to play for Juventus again in March after appealing to CAS on the grounds that his consumption of DHEA was not deliberate. He claimed to be stronger, wiser, and even prepared to accept a salary decrease.

Pogba said “I am ready to return to normal in 2025. I only have one desire, to play football. The reality is that I am a Juve player and I am preparing to play for Juve,” 

“I don’t have to speak, the pitch will speak and then (coach) Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes, based on what he sees. I’m ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. I want to come back,”  he added.

“It was a very difficult year”

After his final Juventus game, a 2-0 victory over Empoli over a year ago, Pogba remarked that receiving the original suspension was the hardest thing he had ever had to deal with in his career.

Pogba said “It was a very difficult year and what hurt the most was spending every day outside the stadium and (Juventus’s training centre) Continassa taking my children to school without being able to go inside to train or play for Juventus. Many past and current teammates have always supported me. (Juan) Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh. (Paulo) Dybala sent me many messages. And then (Dusan) Vlahovic, (Weston) McKennie, (Timothy) Weah, (Moise) Kean… I didn’t expect so many.”

In addition to returning to his best for the Serie A team, Pogba stated that he hopes to rejoin Didier Deschamps’ France team in time for the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico, and Canada.

“The dream of the World Cup is there, but Deschamps hasn’t opened the doors for anyone. It’s up to me to open them he told me to work,” he stated.

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