Paul Pogba to ‘give up money’ to play for Juventus again.

After his four-year doping suspension was reduced to 18 months, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba expressed his eagerness to return to football. He also expressed his aspiration to represent France at the 2026 World Cup.

The 31-year-old was provisionally suspended by Italy's National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO Italia) in September 2023 after a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that increases testosterone levels. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his suspension earlier this month.

Pogba, who appealed to CAS, argued that his ingestion of DHEA was not intentional. He will be eligible to return to play for Juventus in March. He stated that he was stronger, wiser, and willing to accept a pay reduction to play for the Italian club.

“I am ready to return to normal in 2025. I only have one desire: to play football. The reality is that I am a Juve player and preparing to play for Juve,” Pogba told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

“I don’t have to speak; the pitch will speak, and then [coach] Thiago Motta will judge with his own eyes based on what he sees. I’m ready to give up even money to play for Juve again. Under contract with Juventus until June 2026, the athlete expressed his desire to return.

Pogba, who last appeared for Juventus in a 2-0 victory over Empoli a year ago, stated that the initial suspension was the most challenging moment of his career.

“It was a challenging year, and what hurt the most was spending every day outside the stadium and (Juventus’s training center) Continassa, taking my children to school without being able to go inside to train or play for Juventus.

“Many past and current teammates have always supported me. [Juan] Cuadrado called me every other day and made me laugh.”

Pogba also stated that he would like to return to Didier Deschamps' France squad in time for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, in addition to regaining his finest form for the Serie A team.

“The dream of the World Cup is there, but Deschamps hasn’t opened the doors for anyone. It’s up to me to open them he told me to work,” the midfielder said.

Pogba's contract with the ItTitanstitans is valued at eight million euros ($8.684 million) annually and expires in June 2026.

During his ongoing suspension, the midfielder is only provided with the minimum salary specified in the Serie A collective agreement, which is just over 2,000 euros ($2,170) per month.

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