PITCH PERFECT
Paul Pogba ‘could return to the pitch tomorrow’ as ex-Man Utd’s star’s agent gives update on doping scandal
Frenchman could face a lengthy ban if found guilty by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal
PAUL POGBA could "return to the pitch tomorrow", claims his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
The former Manchester United star, 30, has been out of action since September after testing positive for banned substance DHEA, a precursor hormone of testosterone.
1
Pogba will have to undergo trial at the National Anti-Doping Tribunal.
Proceedings were initially supposed to get under way on January 18th, but the date was pushed back.
Pimenta has denied that Pogba intended to break the rules, telling Tuttosport last year: "We’re waiting for the counter-analysis and we can’t say anything now.
“For sure, Pogba never wanted to bend the rules — I can guarantee that."
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
The agent has since offered a further update on the Frenchman's status, telling : "Pogba could return to the pitch tomorrow.
"He is ready for any situation, he is also a champion mentally. He takes a blow, digests it and moves on.
"He didn’t move forward irresponsibly, he trains knowing that he must be ready."
Still contracted to Juventus, Pogba believes that he has a point to prove in his career.
Most read in Football
Pimenta added: "Sometimes I’ll ask him: ‘Shall we do something else?’. And he’ll get angry, saying to me: ‘Rafa! I have to train.
"You don’t understand, I have to play, I have to win, and I have to finish a journey that I started’.
Watch as Paul Pogba leaves Floyd Mayweather's exhibition with John Gotti III after mass brawl breaks out
"If he were to play tomorrow, he could come on the pitch and play. Obviously, it’s a difficult moment to overcome."
Pogba rejoined Juve from Man Utd on a free transfer in 2022.
He suffered an injury-hit first campaign back in Turin - only featuring six times in Serie A.
The midfielder came off the bench in two of Juventus' first three games of this season, prior to being suspended.
Pogba is contracted until 2026, but could face a ban of up to four-years if found guilty of doping intentionally, which he denies.
Topics