[b]Paul Pogba[/b], the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and former star midfielder for both Manchester United and Juventus, has made a startling revelation regarding the emotional toll of his doping suspension. In a candid interview with GQ France, Pogba confessed that he had contemplated quitting football entirely if his initial four-year ban for doping had not been overturned.

The French midfielder disclosed that the severity of the ban and the circumstances surrounding the decision deeply affected him, especially since he felt that his version of events had not been fairly considered.

“I would have quit football had I taken four years. I didn’t want to say it publicly, but that’s what I thought,” Pogba admitted during the interview.

The controversy stemmed from a routine drug test carried out following Juventus’ Serie A clash with Udinese in August 2023. Pogba tested positive for a banned substance, which led to a harsh four-year suspension, barring him from participating in any football-related activities.

Following the ruling, Pogba’s contract with Juventus was mutually terminated in November 2024. With the ban in effect, he was prohibited from accessing the club’s facilities, forcing him into isolation as he sought to stay fit.

“I took the ball and played outside, alone. I made do with what I had,” he recounted. “But I didn’t want to stay in Turin… dropping my children at school next to the training ground—it was painful.”

The 31-year-old described this period as one of the most challenging phases of his life, both professionally and personally. Despite the emotional struggle, he remained physically active and clung to hope that his appeal would succeed.

Eventually, Pogba’s appeal was reviewed, and the initial suspension was reduced, giving him a lifeline to return to professional football. He resumed competitive football in March 2025, much to the relief of his fans and supporters worldwide.

Pogba’s ordeal sheds light on the mental health challenges faced by professional athletes in the face of career-threatening decisions, and his story continues to spark debate within the sporting community regarding the fairness of doping rulings and the importance of due process.