'People were avoiding me' - Paul Pogba's raw confession on losing fame and friends after ban

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba speaks about life in isolation after devastating ban.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has opened up about the emotional toll of his recent doping ban and life in isolation following a successful appeal that reduced his initial four-year suspension to 18 months.

Speaking to the media for the first time since the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling, Pogba expressed how the ban profoundly affected his life and relationships.

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“I’m telling you, when that ban happened, I truly realised what life is,” Pogba said, reflecting on the isolation he felt during this challenging period per a post on X.

He described how the fame that once surrounded him seemed to vanish: “Paul Pogba - the famous guy - is no more. People were avoiding me. I used to get invited to fashion weeks and events like that. Now they were like: 'we can’t use Pogba.' My friends weren’t ringing like they used to.”

Paul Pogba with the Europa League trophy at Manchester United

Pogba's ban stemmed from a positive test for elevated levels of testosterone, which led to a provisional suspension in September 2023.

The CAS acknowledged that his ingestion of a banned substance was unintentional, resulting from a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida.

Paul Pogba with the FIFA World Cup trophy

Despite this reduction, questions remain about his future at Juventus, as the club is reportedly considering terminating his contract.

With the CAS ruling allowing him to return to competitive action as early as March 2025, Pogba expressed relief at having “the nightmare” behind him.

He stated, “Finally, the nightmare is over,” and emphasised his commitment to integrity in sports. “I play with integrity... cheating is not in my nature,” he affirmed.

As he prepares for his return to football, Pogba also reflected on how this experience has changed him. “I will emerge as a different Paul Pogba—still the same, but with even greater determination to play until the very end,” he concluded, looking forward to reclaiming his place in both club and international football.