Paul Pogba’s turbulent tenure at Juventus is coming to an end, with the French midfielder set to leave the club on November 30 after agreeing to a mutual termination of his contract.
This ends a challenging chapter for the 31-year-old, who has been embroiled in controversy since a doping violation in 2023.
Pogba, who was handed a four-year ban earlier this year for testing positive for testosterone, saw his sentence reduced to 18 months in October.
The revised ban, which took into account the provisional suspension imposed in September 2023, allows Pogba to resume training in January 2025 and return to competitive play by March.
With the mutual termination now confirmed, Pogba is free to sign with a new club when the January transfer window opens.
Juventus, in a brief statement, wished the player “the very best for his professional future,” following the amicable end to their relationship.
A Difficult Year for Pogba
The midfielder, who was once hailed as one of the brightest talents in world football, has had an incredibly difficult few years.
After returning to Juventus on a free transfer in 2022, Pogba struggled to find consistent form due to a combination of injuries and a lack of match fitness.
The 2022-23 season saw him make only five appearances, amassing a total of just 162 minutes of football.
Last season, before his doping ban, Pogba played a meager 51 minutes as a substitute.
His time at Juventus was further marred by the doping scandal, which led to his suspension in the middle of his comeback journey.
From Manchester United to the World Cup
Pogba’s career has been marked by high highs and low lows.
He first made his name at Manchester United, where he was touted as one of the brightest young talents in world football before making a high-profile move to Juventus in 2012.
At Juve, he flourished, winning four consecutive Serie A titles and lifting two Italian doubles.
His performances in Italy earned him a world-record £89m return to Manchester United in 2016, a move that was expected to elevate him to the next level.
While Pogba enjoyed success early in his second stint at Old Trafford, including winning the Europa League and FA Cup in his first season, his time at United was plagued by inconsistency, injuries, and a lack of form in the latter stages of his career.
Despite this, Pogba reached the pinnacle of his career with France, scoring in the final of the 2018 World Cup as Les Bleus triumphed 4-2 over Croatia in Russia.
What’s Next for Pogba?
With the ban lifting in early 2025, Pogba will be available for clubs seeking an experienced and talented midfielder.
Whether he returns to one of his former clubs, or embarks on a new challenge in another league, Pogba has the chance to rebuild his career, while many will be watching closely to see where he lands next.
