Thiago Motta was noncommittal on Saturday regarding Paul Pogba's future at Juventus after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the midfielder's four-year doping ban to 18 months. The ruling allows Pogba, a 2018 World Cup champion with France, to return to competitive play on March 11, 2025. However, reports from Italian media suggest that Juventus may still consider terminating his contract, which runs until June 2026 and is estimated to be worth around 10 million euros per season.
Motta acknowledged Pogba's past achievements but emphasized the need to focus on the present as the team prepares for their Serie A match against Cagliari. "Paul was a great player, but he hasn't played for a long time," the coach stated. He highlighted that the club will evaluate the situation and make any necessary decisions, reiterating that his primary concern is the upcoming match rather than Pogba's status.
Pogba's issues began after he tested positive for testosterone following Juventus's season opener against Udinese in August 2023. He was provisionally suspended the following month, and the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal handed down a four-year ban in February. His representatives claimed that the positive test resulted from a food supplement prescribed by a doctor in the United States, which jeopardized the midfielder's career.
Since Pogba last played for Juventus against Empoli in early September 2023, the club has undergone significant changes, including a managerial shift from Massimiliano Allegri to Motta and the addition of several new players to the squad. Juventus made substantial investments in the summer transfer window, spending over 120 million euros on midfielders like Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz, and Khephren Thuram. Last season, the club finished third in Serie A without Pogba, indicating the challenges they faced during his absence.
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