In a recent interview with Al-Jazeera, Paul Pogba revealed a side of himself that many had rarely seen. The world-famous footballer confessed, “Sometimes, I don’t want to have money anymore. I just don’t want to play anymore. I just want to be with normal people, so they will love me for me – not for the fame, not for the money. Sometimes it’s tough.” Little did he know that, a day later, his world would be rocked by a positive doping test for excess non-endogenous testosterone metabolites.
It’s been over seven years since Manchester United shattered the world transfer record to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford. At the age of 23, he had already amassed four Serie A titles and earned the title of the young player of the tournament at the previous World Cup. However, despite a triumphant 2018 World Cup win with France, Pogba’s career has been marred by challenges and controversies.
The doping violation could potentially lead to a four-year ban for Pogba, essentially marking the end of his career, especially considering his age of 30 and previous struggles with knee injuries. As he awaits the results of the B-sample and explores various avenues of appeal, it’s a period of great uncertainty for one of football’s most talented players.
Pogba’s words, “Football is very beautiful, but it’s cruel,” ring true for him more than most. He has experienced both the adoration of fans and the disappointment of feeling like his incredible talent was going to waste.
In his time at Juventus, Pogba was nothing short of exceptional. Playing under managers like Antonio Conte and Max Allegri, he found his groove on the left side of a midfield three, showcasing a unique blend of physical prowess and technical skill. However, his transition to Manchester United brought a different set of challenges.
At United, Pogba’s role was less defined, largely due to the sheer breadth of his abilities. Deploying him too deep seemed to underutilize his creative talents, while placing him too advanced exposed his limitations in tight spaces. He was a player seemingly out of sync with the modern game, reminiscent of box-to-box legends like Bryan Robson or Steven Gerrard.
Didier Deschamps successfully used Pogba in a deeper role during the 2018 World Cup, but it was clear that such a restrictive role wouldn’t be sustainable long-term. This issue, however, goes beyond tactical positioning.
Pogba’s initial return to Manchester United hinted at a self-centered ambition, as he prioritized winning the Ballon d’Or over team success. This individualistic mindset didn’t always align with the team’s objectives and led to criticism. Furthermore, off-field distractions, from business ventures to flamboyant hairstyles, raised questions about his focus on the game.
Pogba isn’t the only player who has struggled to reach his potential at Manchester United, as the club has been dubbed a “meat-grinder” for talent by some critics. Injuries also plagued his career, with ankle problems in 2019-20, hamstring issues in 2021, and, after a brief return to Juventus in 2022, knee surgery and muscular ailments. Since the summer of 2019, Pogba has been a part of the starting lineup for only 51 league games.
However, perhaps the most shocking episode was in March 2022 when Pogba was allegedly kidnapped near Paris by masked men demanding €13 million in protection money, an amount equating to €1 million for each year of his career. Pogba’s efforts to comply with the kidnappers were thwarted by his bank. Just days before this ordeal, his home was burglarized while his two young children were present.
Adding to the saga, Pogba’s elder brother, Mathias, accused him of enlisting the help of a marabout, a West African holy man named Ibrahim, to place a curse on Kylian Mbappé in a video released that summer. Pogba later clarified that he had consulted the marabout for assistance with his persistent injuries, not for any malicious intent.
In the midst of all this turmoil, the doping allegations cast a shadow over Pogba’s future. Whether he is guilty or not, and whether he will face a ban or not, the positive test is another tragic chapter in Pogba’s career. A player whose only fault seemed to be possessing too much talent to fit into the modern football landscape now stands at the precipice of a career collapse. Regardless of who or what is to blame, there’s an undeniable sense of tragedy in this turn of events.
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