Paul Pogba's doping ban ends: Former Man Utd and Juventus star weighing up move to MLS or Saudi Arabia after serving reduced suspension

Paul Pogba took a significant step toward his return to professional football on Tuesday, March 11, as the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder completed his 18-month ban, imposed during the 2023-24 season after testing positive for a banned substance.

Pogba failed a drug test following the Udinese-Juventus game on August 20, 2023, as it was revealed that a non-endogenous substance was found in his test results, leading to a provisional suspension on September 11, 2023. He was slapped with a four-year ban for doping by the Italian Anti-Doping National Tribunal on February 29, 2024. On October 4, 2024, the ban was reduced to 18 months, which meant that he could begin training from January 2025. His contract with Juventus was mutually terminated in November 2024.

According to Italian outlets Gazzetta and Repubblica (h/t Football Italia), Pogba's most likely destinations remain the Major League Soccer (MLS) or the Saudi Pro League. After spending time with his family in Miami, Pogba could be considering a move to David Beckham's Inter Miami or the wealthy Saudi Pro League, where French stars like N'Golo Kante and Karim Benzema play for Al-Ittihad. Not just that, but former Juventus director Pavel Nedved has recently joined Al-Shabab as a sporting director, too.

The last time Pogba played a full 90 minutes was almost exactly three years ago, on March 12, 2022, during Manchester United's 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford.

While there is no confirmation regarding where Pogba will play next, there has been speculation about the World Cup-winning French midfielder returning to Manchester United for his third stint. In fact, former Red Devils striker Dwight Yorke was ready to give him another opportunity at a United side that is experiencing inarguably their worst season since the turn of the millennium.

“It's an interesting take. I would give Paul Pogba a third chance, definitely, because of what United currently have and because of what we know he is capable of producing," Yorke said last month.

“Obviously, with two months left, I would say, let's have a look. Give him a contract. You've got time here to prove yourself. You can come and play and help us out with the situation I’m sure Pogba would be very keen. Maybe he might want a long-term deal because of the security.

“I can see why his name has been mentioned because United have struggled, and Pogba is a damn good player. Even though he’s 31, I think he's far better than what we have now. And if you're going to get a player for free, who's far better than all our players in midfield, then you do it.”