In a UK TV exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Paul Pogba talks about his football ban, his previous thoughts of retirement and his future plans, as he closes in on a return to the game in March 2025
Thursday 17 October 2024 11:42, UK
"I am not a cheater."
Paul Pogba considered retiring from football after being handed a four-year ban from the game but he has now set his sights on a return to the France national team after seeing his punishment reduced to 18 months.
The 31-year-old tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - a compound that promoted the production of hormones in the body, including testosterone - but is free to start playing for Juventus from March next year following a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Ahead of his return to the professional game after the punishment was reduced, Pogba sat down for an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News' Chief Reporter Kaveh Solhekol to talk about the moment he found out about the ban, his journey throughout that time, and his plans for the future ahead of his return to the pitch...
Do you take responsibility for the ban?
"For sure that means I take responsibility that I took the supplement and I did not triple check, even though it came from a professional doctor. If I have to be punished, I am fine with it, but it should never be four years. I will accept 12 months."
Do you expect sympathy because people will say you are responsible for what goes in your body and a four-year ban should be a four-year ban?
"People should get the truth and it's there in the Court of Arbitration for Sport document. I will tell you the whole story but the easier way is to get the document, It explains everything. That is the only thing that I would say. You get the document with all the responses to your question."
Why did you take the supplement? Was it to help you recover from injury?
"Not at all. It was general stuff that had nothing to do with injury, nothing to do with performance, this is for sure. It was supplements, like you would take. My case was different as it was given by a professional but it was a mistake. That you can see on the document.
"The Court of Arbitration for Sport saw the truth and saw I did not deserve that [four years]."
Can you confirm you have 100 per cent never taken any performance-enhancing drugs? When we see you on the pitch is that the real you? There is nothing else going on?
"People know me. When they saw it happened, they knew it was not on purpose. This is totally the truth. I am an honest person. I would say it. I am not a cheater, I am someone who loves my sport and loves the game. I don't like to cheat, I like to win fairly. People know that. I am a bad loser but I am not a cheater."
What was the moment like when you found out about the positive test?
"A shocking moment because I really did not know what caused it. What did I do wrong? I started thinking, did I eat something? I was in the shadows. This is a lot, it is too much. I was talking to God asking for help because there was nobody else."
Who helped you during the ban? Did people in football reach out to offer support?
"I had messages, friends and family. Obviously my wife, I spent a lot of time with my wife that I was not used to! And my kids, that was a good part as I got to be a real dad at home.
"Seeing them grow every day, I really enjoyed it. It helped me get through it, day by day. Spending time with my family helped me to stand up. Some days I was really down, thinking about what really happened.
"Sometimes you wish it didn't happen but it helped me to grow and to learn the lesson of life. I see life differently."
Did you ever think your career was finished? Did you think you would never play football again?
"It came to my mind. As soon as it did, I threw it away, I did not want to think about this. My wife was sitting me down and said I will get through this and play again. That pushed me - family was a big part of my mental strength, for sure. Obviously, the faith in God kept me positive. I took the negative part away from my family to be a normal person. Life goes on."
What are you going to do next? Where will you play next because it looks like it won't be Juventus?
"Where would I like to play? On the pitch! I would love to be on the pitch! Any pitch. First Juventus, I want to start training with team-mates. It's tough training alone - it passes by yourself! The main focus is to get back training and fit, to be on the pitch and do what I love."
Would you return to the Premier League?
"First of all, I am at Juventus under contract. I will see what they are thinking and the vision. My vision is to show I am a footballer. A new Paul Pogba with the same qualities. I am still ready."
How long will it take for you to return to full fitness?
"We will see with the training. It is always tough after being by yourself. I have to be ready and I trained for this moment so there wasn't a big gap to the other guys. It will take time, I know that, but I always motivate myself. I want to be ready and play."
What level could you play at? Are you going to go to Saudi Arabia or the United States?
"What do you mean 'level'?"
Could you play for a top side in the Premier League? Could you play for Manchester United?
"Yes, I hope so, this is the dream, I hope so."
Would you really go back to Manchester United?
"You are twisting the question. I'm wiser. I've changed. You can't trick me any more. I don't want to lose the level I am at. If I can surpass it, this is what I want. I'm still the same player but with a different hunger. I am more motivated. I am more hungry. I will appreciate the game more than before after it was taken away from me. I realised how important it was for me. I tasted what life is after the career."
Do you think you could play for France again one day?
"I hope. It is in my mind for sure. I have to be ready for that. There are players who deserve to play and I have to win my place back. I am ready to fight."
During this period did you ever miss Manchester United?
"Truly, I had so many problems. I did not have time to think of Manchester United. I needed to get rid of all my problems and play.
"I watch Manchester United and I still have team-mates there. They are still one of the biggest clubs in the world but I wasn't thinking about more stuff."
What do you think about what is happening at United now? The fans are suffering.
"I will never destroy the club I played with. I respect all the players there and they are doing their best. There is a lot of media on Manchester United and they need time.
"Arsenal had a long time to get back to the top and now they are dominating the league with Man City and Liverpool. It's a big club and I believe they will come back one day. The reality is, they are not at the top and it is not today."
Is there an unfair focus on United and players such as Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford?
"Why the criticism? For performance or for something else? I think you're at the biggest club in England with a lot of fans. They need to say something I guess and all the players you mention are talented.
"You win as a team. You never point at one player at Man City but they play as a team, win as a team. When they don't play well, it's the team that don't play well.
"When you lose, you are going to get criticism."
What do you think about the news that Sir Alex Ferguson is on longer going to be a paid United ambassador?
"Does it change what he has done for the club? The only thing I hear is that he won't get paid anymore. Sir Alex Ferguson will still be Sir Alex Ferguson. He is still in their history and will be forever. The only thing I hear is the money! He is Sir Alex Ferguson, a legend and always will be at Manchester United."
Jesse Lingard recently stood up for you in a newspaper article. He said you were misunderstood. He wrote about both of you being criticised for dancing?
"He is a close friend of mine. We always connect and always have good energy. When we were at United and we were winning, it was never a problem.
"I want to clarify as I heard Wayne Rooney say that we lost a game and me and Jesse were dancing in the changing room. You always need a witness, OK? If someone can confirm what Rooney said, I will accept it.
"If there is not, it is not true. Lingard never confirmed that because I am a very bad loser and I respect the club. Wayne Rooney, a legend of the club, sitting there and not saying anything. Do you think that matches?"
What did you think about the criticism of you dancing?
"This is social media. You don't know me. I am myself. Some people love to see that, kids love to see that. Some other people don't like to see those things. What does it change? You dance at home and in the changing room. You enjoy life because tomorrow it can finish.
"I am a very positive person, I have a lot of pressure with the media, with our performances, with our coaches, with our family. We are getting paid a lot of money to play football because fans love football. It's thanks to them that we get paid. We are doing our best to enjoy doing what we love. We want to enjoy it.
"We don't want to be depressed for five days because we lost a game. We have to move on, we have to say 'Come on guys, next game, we have to get ready'. You see my hairstyle, this is me, this is Paul."
Why were people obsessed with your hairstyles?
"Like David Beckham changed his hair? This is him. People loved talking about my hair. They just wanted to say something about my hair. At Man City I came back from France duty and I was criticised for having blue hair. I scored two goals and everyone was happy.
"They needed to say something about the hairstyle and the dancing but let's focus on the football. I've always been like this. Sorry, I cannot change. You have to get used to seeing me happy. I'm a happy man but not after I lose."
