Paul Pogba’s tumultuous return to Juventus has ended, with the club confirming on Friday that they have mutually agreed to terminate his contract. This comes despite the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reducing his doping ban to 18 months, allowing Pogba to return to football in March.
Pogba, 31, joined Juventus in 2022 after six years at Manchester United, but his second stint in Turin was marred by injuries, personal issues, and the recent doping scandal. His contract, originally set to run until 2026, will now end on November 30, 2024.
Juventus issued a statement acknowledging the decision, saying both parties had reached a mutual agreement to part ways. The decision follows Pogba’s October plea, in which he expressed a willingness to forgo money to play for Juventus again — an appeal that was ultimately ignored.
The France international, a World Cup winner in 2018, struggled to make an impact on the pitch during his return. He started just one match in two years and made only 10 appearances in the 2022-23 season due to persistent knee injuries.
His final appearance for the club was in September 2023, just before his provisional suspension for testing positive for testosterone following Juventus’ opening Serie A match. CAS later accepted Pogba’s explanation that the result was due to an error involving a doctor-prescribed supplement but held him partially accountable for not exercising greater caution.
Off the pitch, Pogba also faced challenges, including being a victim of organised extortion, with his brother Mathias among six individuals set to stand trial.
Juventus, undergoing a rebuild under coach Thiago Motta, have moved on from Pogba, investing over €120 million in midfield reinforcements such as Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz, and Khephren Thuram. The club currently sits sixth in Serie A, just two points behind leaders Napoli.
