Pogba watches Miami Heat with Messi’s closest colleague

Paul Pogba was spotted out at the Miami Heat’s 123-118 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Kayesa Center. The former Manchester United midfielder’s presence at the Game sparked interest after he was seen with Yassine Chueko, the private bodyguard of Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi.

Pogba’s future has been put under scrutiny recently after being pictured at Inter Miami’s Chase Stadium watching the MLS side during their ultimately unsuccessful playoff campaign. The player’s future at Juventus seems all but over and he has been heavily linked with a move to Miami, with the latest public appearance only serving to fuel the rumours.

Pogba has been training in Miami and reports suggest that various league clubs have signed him to their Discovery Lists, giving them first refusal on the player should he declare his interest to play in the North American league.

Why was Pogba banned from soccer?

A doping ban has kept Pogba out of Football since February after he tested positive for a banned substance following the Udinese-Juventus match on 20 August.

“I have today been informed of the Tribunale Nazionale Antidoping’s decision and believe that the verdict is incorrect. I am sad, shocked and heartbroken that everything I have built in my professional playing career has been taken away from me", Pogba said in a statement when the verdict was made public.

“When I am free of legal restrictions the full story will become clear, but I have never knowingly or deliberately taken any supplements that violate anti-doping regulations."

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Originally given a sentence of 4 years without playing, Pogba saw his punishment reduced to 18 months, meaning he will be allowed to train in January and return to the field in March 2025.

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