Paul Pogba opens up about isolation during football ban

French professional footballer and central midfielder Paul Pogba has candidly reflected on the bleak psychological impact of his football suspension conveying absolute loneliness during those difficult times.

The 33-year-old French World Cup winner tested positive for a banned substance in 2023 while at Juventus leading to a first four-year suspension that was later reduced to 18 months on appeal.

He returned to league football around March 2025 and now plays for Monaco. In the video, Pogba described the pain of lost brand deals, fashion invites and increased personal distance calling it a reality check that showed him life’s intrinsic motivations beyond fame.

His words read: “When I was banned from football, it really hit me, people avoided me even my wife at times and that hurt the most. Brands cancelled deals and fashion shows stopped inviting me.”

On social platform X, Pogba’s recent video is gaining traction with users pouring reactions as one said, “Relatable, when you’re at your lowest, you will know who is really there for you. You’ll go through hell and pain, on a daily basis. But hell doesn’t last forever. Once you get back up, be BRUTAL. Only show up for those who showed up for you. Only reach out to those who reached out to you.”

Another user added, “The biggest betrayal in all this, is the part where he says the wife avoided him sometimes. This is worse than even the brands that avoided it. Brands have no connection with you, its strictly business, so they can walk away, but the wife who should be at your side in difficult times, avoiding you? That is the biggest betrayal.”

Pogba is currently a central midfielder for Ligue 1 club after returning to professional football following a reduced dropping ban.