Paul Pogba Opens Up on Pain of Abandonment After Doping Scandal

French football star Paul Pogba has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of his suspension from football, revealing that many friends and even family distanced themselves from him when his fame faded.

In a recent interview, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder described feeling isolated and forgotten after receiving a doping ban.

Pogba explained that once news of the ban broke, calls stopped coming, social invitations disappeared, and people who once celebrated him began to disappear including his own wife.

“After the doping case, people stopped reaching out. The same ones who once wanted me around suddenly went quiet. Even close friends and family avoided me,” Pogba shared.

Initially handed a four-year suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, Pogba’s punishment was later reduced to 18 months following an appeal.

He has consistently maintained his innocence, attributing the test result to a supplement prescribed by his doctor.

Now eligible to return to professional football in March 2025, the 2018 World Cup winner described the experience as eye-opening.

According to him, the ordeal taught him a hard lesson about loyalty and the importance of knowing who truly stands by you when life takes a downturn.

“I learned not to rely on people who only show up when things are good. It was painful, but it revealed who my real friends are.”

Pogba’s revelations have sparked a wave of online reactions, with many sympathizing with his experience and reflecting on the nature of relationships in the spotlight.