Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has spoken of his disappointment of losing an ‘extraordinary player’ as a result of Paul Pogba’s doping ban.
Pogba was last week given a four-year ban from football after tests found elevated levels of testosterone in his system.
The French midfielder is set to appeal the decision, but will likely still face a lengthy spell being away from the game.
Speaking before Sunday’s clash with Napoli, Pogba’s current boss expressed his sadness to lose the star.
‘It’s very sad both on a human level and for football,’ said Allegri.
‘We are losing an extraordinary player.
‘I was lucky enough to work with him, coach him, and it’s very difficult to find players like him… he’s a fantastic guy.’
Pogba tested positive for testosterone after Juventus ‘s first game of the season against Udinese, and was given the hefty punishment by an anti-doping prosecutor’s office in Italy last Thursday.
His lawyers had rejected a plea deal and hoped to get their client a lighter sentence after claiming he had accidentally ingested the banned substance.
However, the prosecution did not believe the 30-year-old’s defence, and now faces a battle to save his football career, as he would be 35 by the time the ban was over.
The ban is the latest setback for a footballer, who was once the most expensive player in the world.
Pogba came through Manchester United’s academy, before moving to Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, going on to win four straight Serie A titles.
He moved back to Old Trafford in 2016 for a world record fee of £89 million.but never hit the same heights in the Premier League as he did in Italy.
Pogba would enjoy more success internationally, winning the World Cup in 2018 with France, even scoring in the 4-2 win over Croatia in the final.
At United he’d win both the Europa League and League Cup, but left Old Trafford having failed to turn United into contenders in the Premier League nor the Champions League.
After six seasons Pogba left on a free transfer in 2022 to rejoin Juventus, but has only managed one start and 11 substitute appearances thanks to a succession of injuries.
Allegri’s side currently sit in second place in Serie A, but trail leaders Inter by twelve points.
