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At just 30 years old, it’s possible that we may have already seen French superstar Paul Pogba play the final soccer game of his career.
Pogba, who rose to fame with legendary Italian club Juventus before making a move to Manchester United and eventually finding his way back to Turin, failed an anti-doping test in September after it showed elevated levels of testosterone.
A second sample then confirmed the positive result.
Italian Prosecutors Seeking Four-Year Ban For Pogba
Now Italian prosecutors are seeking a four-year ban for the midfielder that some once considered the best on the planet.
The AP reports that “anti-doping prosecutors in Italy requested a maximum four-year ban for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba on Thursday after the World Cup winner tested positive for testosterone.
Pogba opted not to make a plea bargain with Italy’s anti-doping agency, meaning the case will be tried before the country’s anti-doping court.”
The report goes on to state that “four-year bans are standard under the World Anti-Doping Code but can be reduced in cases where an athlete can prove their doping was not intentional, if the positive test was a result of contamination or if they provide ‘substantial assistance’ to help investigators.”
Pogba’s time in Manchester was marred by inconsistent play. He returned to Juventus last July. But injuries have limited both his availability and impact.
He starred for France in its 2018 World Cup run. But was unable to play in the 2022 World Cup due to a knee injury.
The story has an odd twist as well.
Police in France are investigating allegations that Pogba was targeted by extortionists. His brother, Mathias, is included in the investigation. Though he has denied any wrongdoing.
A four-year ban could spell an end to a once-promising career for Pogba. But it’s a career that never quite met the heights that many expected.