How Paul Pogba loses Juventus contract amidst doping ban reduction? Check details

Paul Pogba’s time at Juventus has come to an abrupt end, as the Serie A giants officially terminated the French midfielder’s contract on Friday. This decision follows the reduction of Pogba’s doping ban to 18 months on appeal, allowing him to potentially resume competitive football in March. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) had recently slashed the initial four-year suspension imposed by the Italian anti-doping authority (NADO) after the 31-year-old tested positive for a banned substance. Despite the reduced ban, Juventus opted to sever ties with Pogba, marking a disappointing end to his second stint with the club. Pogba returned to Turin in 2022 from Manchester United amid much fanfare, but his homecoming quickly turned sour due to persistent issues both on and off the pitch. Injuries and controversies overshadowed his performances, leaving him unable to replicate the success he enjoyed during his first spell with the Bianconeri.

Pogba’s departure closes a turbulent chapter in his career, which had once promised a triumphant reunion with Juventus. As he prepares for a potential return to the game in March, questions remain about what the future holds for the talented midfielder, whose career has been marked by both brilliance and setbacks. For Juventus, parting ways with Pogba signifies a fresh start as the club looks to move forward from a period of instability and focus on rebuilding its squad.

"You gave me a lot, more than what I could ever say, and I'll always keep with me the love you showed me. You'll always be in my heart. Good luck," said Pogba to Juve fans on social media.

Paul Pogba’s time with Juventus came to an end despite his public plea in October, where he expressed a willingness to sacrifice money to continue playing for the club. However, his appeal was ignored by the Turin-based side, often referred to as the "Old Lady" of Italian football. The club’s decision to part ways with Pogba comes as no surprise. Both head coach Thiago Motta and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli had previously referred to the French midfielder in the past tense, acknowledging that "he was a great player," signaling his diminished role in Juventus’ future plans.

Pogba, who famously lifted the World Cup with France in 2018, had a remarkable history with Juventus, winning four consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2016. However, his second stint with the club was plagued by challenges. Since rejoining Juventus in the summer of 2022, Pogba started only one match due to a combination of injuries and off-field controversies. His last appearance for Juventus was in a match against Empoli in September 2023, shortly before he was provisionally suspended after testing positive for testosterone. The doping case and subsequent suspension marked the final chapter of Pogba’s troubled return to Turin, closing a bittersweet chapter in his illustrious career.

Paul Pogba's doping controversy originated after Juventus’ opening Serie A game last season, a 3-0 victory over Udinese in which he didn’t feature. Following the incident, Pogba was handed a four-year ban by the Italian anti-doping authority in February, a decision that threatened his career. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the suspension to 18 months, accepting Pogba’s claim that the failed test resulted from mistakenly taking a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida.

Despite this, CAS did not absolve Pogba entirely, stating that as a professional athlete, he bore some responsibility and should have exercised greater caution. His troubles extended beyond the doping case. In the 2022-23 season, Pogba made only 10 appearances for Juventus due to a knee injury, which also kept him out of France's squad for the Qatar World Cup, where they lost to Argentina in the final.

Off the pitch, Pogba faced an organized extortion case involving six men, including his brother Mathias, who are set to stand trial. During his absence, Juventus began a rebuilding phase, changing managers from Massimiliano Allegri to Thiago Motta and investing over €120 million in midfield reinforcements like Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz, and Khephren Thuram. Despite finishing third last season without Pogba, Juventus now sit sixth in Serie A, just two points behind leaders Napoli. They are set to face AC Milan at the San Siro after the international break.