Juventus and Paul Pogba have officially agreed to terminate their contract by mutual consent, bringing an end to the French midfielder’s second spell at the Turin giants. The World Cup winner, whose career has been derailed by a doping suspension, has already begun training in Miami as he plots his return to professional football in 2025.
The announcement, made official by Juventus on Friday evening, draws the curtain on a relationship that promised so much but delivered little since Pogba’s highly anticipated return to Turin in 2022. The Italian club’s brief statement conveyed the finality of the situation: “Juventus Football Club and Paul Pogba announce that they have mutually agreed to the termination of the sports performance contract, effective from 30 November 2024. The company wishes Paul all the best for his professional future.
This development comes in the wake of Pogba’s doping case, which initially threatened to end his career with a four-year suspension following a failed test after a Serie A match against Udinese in August 2023. However, in a significant turn of events, the ban was reduced to 18 months, opening the door for the midfielder to return to competitive action as early as March 2025.
The financial implications of this separation are substantial for both parties. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus stands to save approximately €30 million through this termination, a figure that encompasses Pogba’s annual salary and potential bonuses from the remaining period of his contract. The midfielder had originally joined the Bianconeri on an €8 million deal from Manchester United, marking one of the club’s most significant investments in recent years.
The timing of this mutual separation aligns with Juventus’s current trajectory under new management. The club has embarked on a fresh project under Thiago Motta, seeking to rebuild with a different philosophy and approach. Pogba’s departure, while symbolic of an era’s end, also represents the club’s determination to move forward and adapt to new realities.
For Pogba, the focus now shifts to rehabilitation and preparation for his return to professional football. Reports from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano indicate that the Frenchman has already begun training in Miami, working to regain his physical condition ahead of his eligible return date. While he cannot officially train with a new club until January, his presence in Miami suggests a structured approach to his comeback.
The termination of Pogba’s contract with Juventus represents more than just the end of his time in Turin; it marks a critical juncture in the career of one of football’s most talented yet controversial figures. His second spell at Juventus, which began with such promise in 2022, ultimately became a cautionary tale about the unpredictable nature of football careers and the impact of off-field issues.
Looking ahead, Pogba’s future remains intriguingly open. At 30 years old, he still has time to write another chapter in his career, though the circumstances of his departure from Juventus and the doping suspension will undoubtedly influence potential suitors’ decisions. His ability to begin training with clubs in January 2025 provides a timeline for his reintegration into professional football, though the landscape he returns to may be significantly different from the one he left.
The mutual termination agreement between Pogba and Juventus represents a pragmatic solution for both parties. For Juventus, it provides financial relief and clarity as they continue their rebuilding process. For Pogba, it offers a clean break and the opportunity to focus entirely on his return to football without the lingering complications of his Juventus contract.
As Pogba continues his training in Miami, the football world watches with interest to see how this gifted but enigmatic player will approach his comeback. His journey from World Cup winner to free agent following a doping suspension encapsulates the unpredictable nature of professional football, where triumph and adversity often walk hand in hand.
