Paul Pogba to join Lionel Messi in the USA? MLS clubs interested in signing ex-Man Utd star on free transfer as he nears Juventus exit after doping ban reduction
Paul Pogba may be offered the chance to join Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi in the USA, with MLS clubs reportedly keen on the Juventus midfielder.
WHAT HAPPENED?
World Cup winner Pogba is hoping to be given the green light to resume his professional career in March 2025. He was handed a four-year suspension from all football-related activity following supposed breaches of doping protocols.
THE BIGGER PICTURE
That ban is set to be reduced following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with the sanction cut to just 18 months. Pogba is under contract in Turin until the summer of 2026, but there remains plenty of speculation when it comes to Juve terminating those terms.
DID YOU KNOW?
Prominent figures at Juve have hinted at Pogba being part of the club’s past, rather than their future. If he were to see the remainder of his contract ripped up, then the 31-year-old former Manchester United star would become a free agent.
WHAT NEXT FOR POGBA?
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Pogba could chase the American dream – much like eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and his former France international colleagues Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris. Teams in that part of the world are said to be keeping a close eye on a saga that has more twists and turns to come.
Inter Miami took on Toronto FC last night at BMO Field, with Lionel Messi making a 30-minute cameo from the bench for the Herons.
Having wrapped up the Supporters’ Shield title on Wednesday with a history 3-2 victory against the Columbus Crew, Inter Miami maintained their winning run with a 1-0 result against Toronto thanks to a late Leonardo Campana winner.
With Tata Martino saying Messi was always planned to be rested, the decision to give the Argentine most of the night off, alongside Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, was a smart decision that paid off massively for Inter Miami.
And Toronto fans were certainly excited to see Messi in action for the first time in the 6.
As reported by the Miami Herald, Toronto fans were borderline hysterical when Messi was brought on just past the hour mark, with the home support excited to see the Inter Miami captain for the first time the Canadian city.
Having played two full games heading into yesterday’s tie in Toronto, there’s a good reason why Messi was rested from the very beginning and took things easy for Inter Miami in their win against the Reds.
Moreover, winning the Supporters’ Shield on Wednesday also lifted the pressure for Inter Miami to play a full-strength XI against Toronto, who this season have been one of the biggest disappointments in MLS.
Indeed, Inter Miami can make further history if they win their final game of the regular season against the New England Revolution after the international break, and Messi will want to be fully fit for that tie later this month.
