After more than half a year of silence, Paul Pogba is once again under the spotlight. A positive doping test puts him at risk of a suspension that could last up to 4 years. Moreover, the recent court hearings related to allegations of his brother, Mathias, being involved in extortion further complicates matters.
Last summer, Pogba’s personal documentary, “The Pogmentary,” was released. In what was called one of the worst documentaries ever, Pogba portrayed himself as an exceptionally talented, suave, handsome, philanthropic superstar, leading the forefront in the world of fashion. It seemed as though it wasn’t football that saved him, but rather he saved the world of football.
Only a year later, Pogba, who no longer has the mood to style his hair, is under siege from all sides. As he approaches middle age, not only has he been plagued with long-term injuries, but it also seems like his judgment and mental acuity have started to falter.
Doping an Accident? Pogba Actively Seeks Trouble
After the news about Paul Pogba’s doping incident was revealed, many initially believed it might have been an accident. This is because testosterone frequently appears in various nutritional supplements these days, and any slight negligence by the user can lead to accidental consumption. Another possibility is that if a player suffers from testicular cancer, he might also test positive for testosterone. However, Pogba had just undergone a full medical check-up and was cleared of any diseases.
What left Juventus speechless was that, while they were still searching for a countermeasure for Pogba, multiple media outlets reported that the Frenchman himself came forward and admitted: An American doctor friend of his had given him a bottle of nutritional medicine. Without informing or consulting anyone, he consumed it for some time. Only after the incident came to light did he realize it contained testosterone.
When athletes undergo drug tests, they usually provide samples A and B. While Pogba tested positive for the A sample, the results for the B sample are still pending. But since the Frenchman himself admitted to it, the B sample is likely to be positive as well, making it almost impossible for a reversal.
In international football, there has always been a zero-tolerance approach towards doping. Every club has clear regulations: players must inform the team doctor about any food, supplements, or medication they wish to take – whether it’s before a match, during a match, after a match, or even during their vacations. Only after getting a nod from the team doctor can they proceed. Given the varying testing standards across different countries, slight carelessness can be problematic.
Pogba entirely bypassed this step, causing unnecessary trouble, which infuriated the management at Juventus. Currently, the Old Lady has halted Pogba’s hefty salary and banned him from the training ground. If a suspension is enforced in the future, the club might immediately terminate his contract.
From a procedural perspective, if the B sample shows a positive result on October 5th, Pogba will face a trial at the Italian Anti-Doping Court.
According to anti-doping regulations, athletes who unintentionally use performance-enhancing drugs can be banned for up to two years. If it is proven that they intentionally used them, the suspension can be as long as four years. However, the determination of intent or lack thereof isn’t for Pogba to decide.
Furthermore, the use of performance-enhancing drugs in Italy is considered a criminal offense, so Pogba might also face criminal charges.
Recently, the former world number one women’s tennis player, Simona Halep, was handed a direct four-year suspension due to the use of prohibited substances. She provided evidence claiming that her positive result was due to contaminated food, but after 51 blood tests, expert reviews did not accept her argument.
In comparison, even if Pogba appeals continuously, his suspension fate seems inevitable.
Backfired by Sorcery? Pogba Faces a Series of Unfortunate Events
Last summer, after a falling-out with his brother Mathias over money, Mathias spilled the beans, claiming Pogba sought out a potent witch doctor within their family in Guinea. He alleged that Pogba placed a curse, known as “Jiang Tou”, on his teammate from the French national team, the rising star Kylian Mbappé.
After the uproar caused by this revelation, Pogba stepped forward to clarify that he indeed consulted a witch doctor, but not to curse Mbappé. Instead, he sought to ensure he was in good form during matches and to avoid injuries. While this explanation might have seemed reasonable to him, it appeared ludicrous to Europeans.
But the story doesn’t end there. Soon, rumors circulated that Mathias had also placed a “Jiang Tou” curse on Pogba. Some insiders from the world of sorcery indicated that if Pogba truly cursed Mbappé, he might experience a backfire.
At the edge of science lies the mystical. Perhaps even Pogba himself struggles to explain the series of misfortunes he has faced. Timeline-wise, after consulting the witch doctor, he was allegedly kidnapped by people hired by his own brother, Mathias. After deciding not to renew his contract with Manchester United, he returned to Juventus, hoping to relive the dreams from where it all began. However, what greeted him was an endless nightmare.
Less than half a month after officially joining Juventus, while on a team training trip to the US, Pogba suffered a serious meniscus injury during a session. While many believed he should undergo immediate surgery, the Frenchman opted for conservative treatment, hoping to be fit for the World Cup. However, his injury worsened after 5 weeks, and he had to undergo meniscus removal surgery in September, leading to over four months of recovery, causing him to miss the World Cup.
By March 2023, after being away from the pitch for 315 days, Pogba made a substitute appearance and played for 22 minutes. Yet, two weeks later, he was sidelined again due to a right thigh adductor injury, taking him out for another two months. In May, history repeated itself: after returning and playing for 23 minutes, he got injured again and was declared unfit for subsequent matches.
Before the start of this season, Pogba confidently proclaimed that a superstar would return to the pitch. He indeed didn’t suffer an injury, but he stumbled due to the doping scandal.
Simultaneously, due to his prolonged absence from the pitch, Pogba, who was previously favored by advertisers, has already lost many significant sponsorship deals. If the doping allegations are confirmed, sponsors may line up to terminate their contracts.
No More Highlights: Over 1000 Days Sidelined in 4 Years
Pogba’s last standout performance dates back at least two years. Even fans with a short memory struggle to recall any impressive display from Pogba since he won the World Cup with France in 2018.
Italian media statistics reveal that Pogba has been injured more than 15 times in just over 4 years. Most astonishingly, during what is usually considered the prime age for a professional footballer – from 27 to 30 – Pogba has spent nearly 1000 days sidelined due to injuries. In the past two years alone, he has missed almost 50 official matches.
Specifically, from the summer of 2021 to the present in 2023, Pogba has only played 28 matches, totaling 1520 minutes. Out of these, only 17 were starts. To put it into perspective, over 800 days, Pogba has effectively played just about 15 full 90-minute matches. In the 2022-23 season, he played only 161 minutes.
Does such a record deserve the “superstar” label that Pogba claims for himself?
Regarding his market value, in the summer of 2016, Pogba set a transfer record of €105 million when he moved from Juventus to Manchester United. In 2019, Real Madrid even considered shelling out €120 million for the Frenchman. However, his current valuation has plummeted to just €15 million.
In the summer, rumors suggested that Juventus would release him for as little as €10 million. Pogba frequently showed interest in the Saudi league, hoping for another lucrative contract and even negotiated with Al-Jeddah Union. But in the end, even the money-spending Saudis were not willing to take on this burden.
From the beginning of his career, Pogba was seen as a prodigy. At 13, he was poached by Manchester United from Le Havre, and by 19, he was playing in the English Premier League. Back then, professional football magazines, including “442”, predicted that Pogba would become the world’s best midfielder. But now, no one believes that Pogba can return to his peak.
Emmanuel Petit, a legend who won the World Cup with France in 1998, stated bluntly: If Pogba faces a 4-year ban, he might as well retire directly. Ever since he left Manchester United, his career has been a catastrophe. No more discussions about his football, money, or anything else; it’s unlikely he will return to a high-level pitch.
From Youthful Excesses to Realization: It’s Too Late
In his younger years, Pogba was independent, rebellious, and arrogant. He became an anomaly in the fashion world. He was very particular about his hairstyles, once setting a record of changing it five times within a week. At his most extravagant, he spent over £200,000 in a month just on hair care. To put that in perspective, the average annual salary in the UK is around £36,000.
Moreover, Pogba loved going to bars. He often took a large group of friends to nightclubs, getting utterly drunk, dancing awkwardly, recording videos, and then posting them on social media, proclaiming “I’m so cool.”
Due to his immense talent and superior skills, young Pogba could indulge without repercussions. Even after partying till dawn, he could still easily cope with training the next day.
His youth allowed him a plethora of choices. When he felt undervalued by Manchester United, he firmly left and secured a contract with Juventus. When United offered a hefty salary, he joyfully returned to Old Trafford. Nothing could deter his pursuit of money.
During his time at Manchester United, he had a notorious fallout with then-manager José Mourinho. Their disagreements were so severe that they often argued during training. Because of his high transfer value and undeniable ability, the Manchester United hierarchy sided with him, eventually firing the Portuguese manager.
After pushing the “Mad Man” (Mourinho) out, Pogba sought to prove himself on the field. In the 2018-19 season, he scored 16 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions, setting new career highs for his time at Manchester United.
Soon, his discontent resurfaced. Pogba is not a player who strictly adheres to tactical discipline. His ability to intercept and tackle are arguably his weaknesses. When the coach expected more from him, his response was, “I can’t.”
Especially after the arrival of Bruno Fernandes, Pogba’s central role in the team became uncertain. His way of addressing this was to vent to the media, questioning, “Is there really a place for me at Manchester United? I asked myself, and I found no answer.”
Such confrontational tactics directly put Pogba at odds with both the coach and the fans. When Jamie Carragher commented on the Frenchman, he said: “No one doubts his ability, but he’s not hardworking and focused enough. If someone says he gives 100% in every match, they’re definitely lying!” Gary Neville commented, “It’s true that Pogba has strengthened Manchester United, but he fails to show the right attitude, always appearing affected by emotions on the pitch.”
After deciding not to renew his contract with Manchester United, Pogba’s on-field presence seemed optional. He often avoided challenges and received frequent jeers from the fans.
Sometimes wasted time and opportunities will punish you in another way, and Pogba is a prime example. Returning to Juventus approaching the age of 30, he wanted to re-establish himself and cherish his professional years.
Regrettably, things didn’t go as planned. His deteriorated physical condition could no longer meet his aspirations to excel further. His prolonged mental fog didn’t help either, and the doping scandal left him with no way out.
It’s akin to a high school student who’s been lackadaisical for three years, barely scraping through each exam. Expecting him to be fully committed and to excel during a major test like the college entrance examination is virtually impossible.
Like many extraordinarily talented African-descended players, they often soar in their youth, squandering their talents and abusing their bodies. They often fantasize that they are the chosen ones on the football pitch, thinking that pulling all-nighters and slacking off during training is no big deal.
However, approaching the age of 30, when they wish to exert themselves and genuinely work hard on the field, they find their bodies overwhelmed. Every past mistake accumulates, forming a tidal wave against which they feel like small boats in a storm, helpless against the rain and wind.
The likes of Balotelli and Pogba exemplify this. Cristiano Ronaldo once said, “If you train half an hour less today, it’s okay. If you drink a few sodas tomorrow, it’s not a big deal either. But one day, if you get used to these indulgences and mistakes, you’ll lose more and more.”
Clearly, Pogba and the like haven’t grasped this truth.
Character Determines Fate: The Good Days Are Over
The experienced former Juventus general manager, Marotta, when discussing Pogba’s doping incident, uttered a classic line: “This kid’s missing something in his head!” The example he gave was Pogba’s decision to ignore the advice of professional medical teams after an injury, choosing to make decisions on his own.
Such players are indeed rare in football. Pogba’s distorted self-confidence is his most significant flaw. He doesn’t understand what should or shouldn’t be done in specific situations, nor what he should tone down.
After winning the 2018 World Cup, his impassioned speech in the locker room was exposed, and people praised Pogba for maturing, considering him a team leader. When Mourinho brought Pogba to Old Trafford, he said that Pogba would be the core of the Red Devils for the next decade. Yet, only two seasons later, they had a complete falling out.
The spark that ignited their feud was Pogba’s behavior. After a disappointing loss, despite his underwhelming performance, Pogba could still laugh and joke during the next day’s training. Mourinho directly reprimanded Pogba in the locker room, calling him a “virus”, accusing him of not only playing poorly himself but also dragging the team down.
After leaving Manchester United, Mourinho even refused to mention “Pogba” by name, instead referring to him as “that player” or “some players”. Mourinho said, “Back in the day, when I told players like Terry or Lampard from the 70s generation ‘you’re not good enough’, they would say ‘I’ll work harder’. But if you say that to Pogba, he’ll provocatively stare at you and say, ‘Look at your stupid face’.”
Sir Alex Ferguson was furious with Pogba in the past. Apart from issues with his agent Mino Raiola, he also believed that Pogba was not mentally sound, implying that Pogba’s thinking was unconventional.
Given the consensus views of so many industry heavyweights, it’s evident that Pogba’s personality issues aren’t based on baseless rumors or stereotypes.
Cold and Warm Self-Knowledge: Both a Winner in Life and a Broken-winged Bird
Whichever way the wind blows, the grass will lean. In his youth, Pogba might have thought he was the wind. Now, he might realize: he doesn’t have any superpowers. Among the multitude, he is just a blade of grass.
From where Pogba was born and raised in Lagny-sur-Marne, it’s less than 100 kilometers to the center of Paris. This place was once dubbed the “slum of African immigrants.” The greatest dream of the three Pogba brothers was to set foot on the football field and make their mark together.
While both his elder and younger brothers also once pursued professional football, Pogba was the only one to reach the pinnacle. Beneath his impressive resume, the qualities of maturity, stability, and focus seem to have always been replaced by self-indulgence, hedonism, and cynicism. In comparison to stars like Ronaldo, Messi, and Lewandowski, who still shine in football post their 30s, Pogba, who just turned 30, is drifting away from the sport.
Life’s changes are unpredictable. Those brothers who once stood by his side have now turned against him, even taking legal action. Childhood playmates kidnapped him over money. The Pogba that once dominated the field now finds it a luxury just to play.
If you compare him to the average person or soccer player, Pogba’s achievements have already reached their peak, making him a real winner in life. However, when compared to his own expectations and sky-high ambitions, today’s Pogba is like a bird with broken wings that has fallen rapidly into a black hole. He wishes to rise again, powered by the wind, but it’s all too late, and all seems impossible.
Source: Allfootball
