Pogba: ‘I am still a Juventus player, but there is silence’ | OneFootball

Paul Pogba assures he is ‘still a Juventus player’ and has no intention of hanging up his boots, as he continues to appeal the four-year doping ban, but there is ‘silence’ from the club.

The midfielder failed a standard doping test during a Serie A match on August 20, 2023 and was given a four-year ban, as his explanation for how the banned substance got into his system was not considered enough to clear him.

He is appealing that decision and was invited by the French Football Federation to meet with the squad ahead of their EURO 2024 Round of 16 tie with Belgium.

Pogba spoke to Sky Sport Italia after the 1-0 win in Dusseldorf.

“I am very happy to see and feel the love of the people. I have not been on the pitch for a while, so hearing the people sing my name was really pleasing.”

Pogba sends message to Juventus

The former Manchester United midfielder went viral last month when a clip of him saying he was ‘dead’ was shown, but he assures it was badly edited.

“If you don’t see a video where I say that I am stopping with football it’s because I am still a football player. I am still here, still positive, I have an opportunity to fight what in my view is an injustice. We’ll see, things will go better.

“I don’t know if you saw the whole interview, but they only put up a part of it were I hadn’t even finished speaking yet. I never said Pogba no longer exists. Pogba is here. Until you see me say I have stopped…

“I still feel like a player, I am training and in these moments I must only be positive. I am spending a lot of time with my family, seeing my kids grow up. I am not doing what I love, which is football, but I am really eager to get back.

“I am so eager, I feel like a kid who wants to be a professional.”

It was reported that Juventus would terminate his contract after June 30, even though he is on minimum wage during the ban.

Pogba was asked what precisely is the situation at Juve?

“From the last I heard, I am still a Juventus player and I think you’d have to ask them. I have a contract, I have not been able to talk yet to the director or the coach, there is silence… I think they are waiting for the appeal. As for the rest, you’d have to ask them.”