Corinthians are interested in midfielder Paul Pogba, formerly of Juventus and Manchester United. At 31 years old, the French midfielder will return to football in March 2025, after an 18-month suspension for doping.
Without a team for now, Pogba’s salary in his last spell at Juventus was very high. Apparently, before the doping case, he received a gross annual salary of 10.2 million euros (R$55.1 million), according to the website Capology. In reais, it would be R$4.6 million per month.
At Corinthians, there are no defined values yet. However, according to journalist Jorge Nicola, if the contract progresses, Augusto Melo must seek financial assistance from the LFU (Liga Forte União). The argument is that the Frenchman’s presence on the field would even increase the broadcast audience.
MORE: Who did Corinthians hire for 2025? Negotiations, reinforcements and market exits
Can Pogba play for Corinthians?
Pogba spoke about the possibility of playing alongside Memphis Depay at Corinthians. Free on the market after breaking his contract with Juventus – the player was punished for doping and will only be able to return to play in March 2025 – Pogba has not yet defined where he will play.
The statement about playing for Corinthians occurred during the program “The Noite”, by Danilo Gentili. Influencer Luva de Pedreiro called the midfielder via video and asked if he would play for Corinthians. “With Memphis”, replies the Frenchman, who also states that he would play “for free”, in a joking tone. He and the Dutchman played together for Manchester United, in England.
With the repercussion of the statement, Pogba added even more “fuel to the fire” this Thursday (12/12). He published a photo training with a shirt referencing Brazil and wrote: “Loading…”
Why was Pogba suspended from football?
The Frenchman tested positive for synthetic testosterone during an anti-doping test carried out after the game between Udinese and Juventus, in the Italian Championship, on August 20, 2023. The substance is banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The Italian Anti-Doping Court imposed the maximum penalty of four years away from the field, but the athlete’s defense filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and reduced the punishment to 18 months. In this way, Pogba is ready to play from June 2025.
– I was informed today of the decision of the National Anti-Doping Court and I believe that the verdict is incorrect. I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I built in my professional playing career was taken away from me. When I am free from legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements in violation of anti-doping regulations. As a professional athlete, I would never do anything to improve my performance using banned substances and I have never disrespected or deceived fellow athletes and fans of any of the teams I played for or against. As a consequence of the decision announced today, I will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport – said the player, via social media.
MORE: Corinthians’ plans for 2025
Pogba’s clubs in his career
- Manchester United
- Juventus
Paul Pogba Titles
- World Cup (2018)
- Europa League (2016/17)
- Uefa Nations League (2021/22)
- League Cup (2016/17)
- 4 Italian Championship titles
- Italian Cup
- Italian Super Cup
MORE: When does the 2025 Campeonato Paulista start?
