Paul Pogba’s suspension for four years after testing positive for testosterone was paralleled by Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt on Marco Materazzi.
The Italian anti-doping court confirmed on Thursday the four-year suspension of Paul Pogba, following his positive test for testosterone in August 2023. Even if the French international indicated, through his lawyers, that he would appeal , observers are almost unanimous in saying that the career of “La Pioche” is over. At least at the very high level. Some have mentioned the last image that Paul Pogba will leave after this episode, referring to what happened to a certain Zinedine Zidane.
The end of the career of the former number 10 of the Blues obviously has nothing to do with what is happening to Paul Pogba currently, but the last image that “Zizou” left of him on the pitch is this famous headbutt sent to Marco Materazzi, in the final of the 2006 World Cup, the last match of Zinedine Zidane’s football career. A final appearance that Didier Roustan spoke about Thursday evening on the channel The Teamcomparing it to Pogba’s positive test, when answering the question about whether or not the sanction announced by the courts spoiled Pogba’s career.
It’s a bit confusing, but…
“ The last image of Zidane on a football field is the headbutt on Materazzi. What picture ! And what’s more, in the final of a World Cup. This is not a friendly match. It’s the last image that stands out. But what we remember about Zidane is not that, but it is part of his story, as it will be part of Pogba’s story. It’s sure that it spoils a little, but there were so many great things, even if there was greater promise, given his talent. »
And for the journalist, Paul Pogba could be more of a victim rather than a culprit. “ In these stories, you never really know if it’s organized doping. I wouldn’t say unwittingly, but somewhere, you have doctors around… You’re not vigilant… I don’t know. » There is nevertheless hope for the thirty-year-old midfielder who hopes that his appeal will be heard.
