The odds of Paul Pogba’s presence at Euro 2024 in Germany was already not very high, it took a big hit again on Monday. According to the Italian media, including Ansa, the equivalent of AFP there, the French international midfielder has tested positive for testosterone. The former Manchester United player was tested in the first Serie A game of the season, after the victory (3-0) against Udinese. Paul Pogba had not played a single minute during this meeting.
The timing of this announcement comes just after a media release aired on Al Jazeera on Monday. The player trained in Le Havre indicated that he was coming back with “rage” and “the desire to play” after a nightmare season where injuries could have “destroyed” him, but from which he assures him to come out “stronger”: ” I had a difficult year, so I have this rage, this desire to play football and enjoy it until the end of my career. It’s like I’m 18 again,” said the world champion on Generation Sport on the Qatari channel.
“It was like a movie”
He returned to the extortion attempt in an organized gang targeting him, and in which one of his brothers, Mathias, is notably involved: “It was like in a movie. Money changes people, it’s the truth, money can break up a family, start war. Asked about the risks that the entourage can represent for a famous footballer, Pogba took a few seconds to answer. “Ooh… Really, the only people who can hurt you are your loved ones. The enemies, you know where they are, but the friends, the family, the ones you think are happy for you, they can destroy you. “.
The Juventus Turin midfielder also gave an appointment to those who do not believe he can return to his best level. “A lot of people think that I’m finished, that I’m dead, that Pogba doesn’t exist anymore, that I’m not one of the best anymore, that I’m not even a good player anymore, that I’m still injured… But I’m not weak, you can speak ill of me, I will never give up. I’m going to work even harder, give even more, and I’m going to have to show them, one more time…”