“I’m not finished, I’m still 100% footballer” - Paul Pogba makes confident claim after attending France game at Euro 2024
Paul Pogba has issued a defiant message regarding his career after attending France's Euro 2024 clash against Belgium on Monday (July 1). The midfielder insists that his career is not over yet as he seeks a return to the pitch.
Pogba was hit with a four-year doping ban after elevated levels of testosterone were found in his blood samples in September 2023. The Juventus midfielder has not been seen on a football pitch since.
While he remains intent on proving his innocence, as things stand, the 31-year-old will not be allowed to resume his professional career until 2027. Despite his global suspension, Pogba is still a Juventus player and was invited to attend France's 1-0 win over Belgium in the Euro 2024 Round of 16.
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports, the former Manchester United star said (as quoted by Fabrizio Romano):
"I'm still a football player. Don't look at that stuff saying I'm retiring, I'm finished... I wanna fight for my career, I'm optimistic. I'm not finished. I'm training hard! I'm still 100% footballer. I can't wait to return on the pitch."
Paul Pogba has earned 91 caps for Les Bleus since his debut in 2013, scoring 11 goals and providing nine assists. The midfielder played a crucial role in winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup with France and has also won the UEFA Nations League.
While he has been banished to the sidelines, the 31-year-old intends to take his case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) (via GOAL).
"I am very happy to feel the love" - Paul Pogba admits he 'felt a great love' after France's Euro 2024 win over Belgium
France locked horns with Belgium in the Euro 2024 Round of 16 yesterday and came away with a 1-0 victory. N'Golo Kante found Randal Kolo Muani with an excellent pass into the box.
The striker's shot took a deflection off Belgium's Jan Vertonghen and found its way into the back of the net in the 85th minute, securing a spot in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Pogba, who was in attendance, was well-received by France fans, who could be heard screaming and chanting his name. Some supporters even held signs in support of the former Manchester United midfielder.
The Frenchman was elated with his reception and admitted in the aforementioned interview with Sky Sports after the game:
"I am very happy to feel the love of the people, today I came to see the France match, I saw the fans, I felt a great love, this made me very happy because I have been away from the fields for a while, hearing people chant my name, it is nice."