Paul Pogba opened up in an interview with the French newspaper L'Equipe following the reduction of his doping ban, discussing his admiration for Lamine Yamal, his recent struggles, the controversy with Thiago Motta, and much more.

Admiration for Lamine Yamal

In one of his first interviews after the reduction of his doping sanction, Paul Pogba did not hesitate to praise young Spanish talent Lamine Yamal. The 2018 World Cup champion with France commented on Yamal's performance in Euro 2024, highlighting his impressive display:

"It's the dream of everyone to do what he did. I'm happy for him, though I'm less happy about the goal he scored against France in the semifinals, but it's something good for football."

The Ordeal of Recent Years

Pogba also reflected on the challenges he has faced over the past two years. After missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to a knee injury, he encountered a series of physical problems in 2023 and was ultimately suspended in September for testing positive for testosterone.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his four-year ban to 18 months, allowing him to potentially return to the field in March 2025. Pogba has consistently maintained his innocence, asserting that the positive result was due to a supplement prescribed by a doctor in Florida.

Situation at Juventus and Thiago Motta's Remarks

The player discussed his difficult situation at Juventus, where he is contracted until 2026. The team's current coach, Thiago Motta, referred to Pogba in the past tense, which affected him deeply:

"Of course, that statement hurts. It means I’m finished, that I'm no longer a player, that my career is over. I don’t think he really thinks that."

Desire to Return to the French National Team

Despite being absent from the pitch and the French national team since March 2022, Pogba expressed his desire to return to "Les Bleus." While he acknowledged that he is not currently in a position to be selected, he cited examples like N'Golo Kanté, who plays in Saudi Arabia but continues to receive national team call-ups.

"We don’t necessarily have to play in a European club to be in the national team," Pogba stated, confirming that returning to the squad is a goal, but he understands the need to be realistic and earn his place again.

Support from Football Legends

During his time away from the game, Pogba expressed gratitude for the support he received from significant figures like Didier Deschamps, Didier Drogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have backed him during these tough times. He reflected on how transformative this period has been in his life:

"It's been 10 years of life in one go that I've gone through. I've seen what real life is like, and that changes you forever."

Family Extortion Case

Finally, Pogba addressed the challenging legal situation involving his brother Mathias Pogba, who is accused of attempting to extort him and kidnapping him in 2022, along with five other individuals. The midfielder emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with the right people for protection in the football world:

"The main danger for footballers is not finding the people who will protect you and who will genuinely be with you, not take advantage of you."