Paul Pogba Willing to Sacrifice Salary for Juventus Comeback
Pogba’s current contract with Juventus runs until June 2026. He has not played for the club in over a year, with his last appearance being a 2-0 victory against Empoli. Reflecting on the challenges he faced during his suspension, Pogba described the experience as the toughest period of his career. He found it particularly painful to be away from the stadium and the training ground while taking his children to school.
Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba is eager to make a return to football following the reduction of his doping ban from four years to 18 months. He has expressed a strong desire to play for the Italian club again and dreams of representing France at the 2026 World Cup.
Earlier this month, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced the reduced ban after Pogba was provisionally suspended by Italy’s National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italia) in September 2023 due to a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance known to enhance testosterone levels. Pogba argued that his ingestion of DHEA was unintentional, leading to his appeal to CAS.
With the new ruling, the 31-year-old will be eligible to return to the pitch for Juventus in March. Pogba shared his determination to come back, stating he feels stronger and wiser, and is even prepared to take a pay cut to rejoin the squad.
“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,” Pogba told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday. He emphasized his commitment to the club: “I’m ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. I want to come back.”
Pogba’s current contract with Juventus runs until June 2026. He has not played for the club in over a year, with his last appearance being a 2-0 victory against Empoli. Reflecting on the challenges he faced during his suspension, Pogba described the experience as the toughest period of his career. He found it particularly painful to be away from the stadium and the training ground while taking his children to school.
“Many past and current teammates have always supported me. [Juan] Cuadrado called me every other day and always made me laugh,” he said, acknowledging the importance of camaraderie during this difficult time.
In addition to his aspirations with Juventus, Pogba is also eyeing a spot in Didier Deschamps’ France squad for the upcoming World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026. “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 added.
Currently, while serving his suspension, Pogba is receiving only the minimum salary outlined in the Serie A collective agreement, which amounts to just over 2,000 euros ($2,170) a month. As he prepares for his return, Pogba’s dedication to his club and his national team remains unwavering, reflecting his passion for the game and desire to overcome the challenges he has faced.
