Pogba's Contract Termination with Juventus

Paul Pogba, who celebrated a World Cup victory with France in 2018, made his return to Juventus in the summer of 2022 after a successful first spell at the club from 2012 to 2016, during which he secured four Serie A titles. Unfortunately, his second chapter with Juve has been fraught with difficulties, primarily due to injuries and off-field issues. In his first season back, Pogba started just one match, as a knee injury limited him to only 10 appearances and ultimately cost him a place in the French squad for the 2022 World Cup.

In September 2023, Pogba encountered more challenges when he was provisionally suspended after testing positive for testosterone following Juventus' Serie A opener against Udinese, despite not participating in that game. This led to a four-year ban from Italy’s National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced his sentence, recognizing that the failed test was a result of inadvertently taking a doctor-prescribed supplement in Florida. While CAS did not fully clear him, they acknowledged his negligence as a professional athlete who should have been more vigilant.

The difficulties didn’t stop with the doping controversy. Pogba also found himself involved in a high-profile extortion case with his brother Mathias and five others, all of whom are now facing legal proceedings. These external pressures, coupled with his injuries, have overshadowed his career and raised concerns about his future in professional football.

Since returning to Juventus, Pogba's journey has been anything but easy, marked by limited contributions on the field and significant personal and professional hurdles. His experience highlights the intricate challenges modern athletes face, as they navigate intense scrutiny, physical limitations, and legal troubles while striving to remain at the top of their game.