Paul Pogba is set to return to professional football in March 2025 after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Juventus midfielder’s suspension, which began on September 11, 2023, will now end in March 2025, allowing him to resume training as early as January.

The 31-year-old World Cup winner faced the prospect of a lengthy exile from the sport, with some fearing it could end his career.

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However, CAS’s ruling offers Pogba a lifeline.

Originally banned for testing positive for DHEA, a substance on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) banned list, Pogba’s appeal argued that he had unknowingly taken the substance, which primarily affects females.

This distinction played a key role in reducing the ban.

Pogba’s positive test came after Juventus’ Serie A opener against Udinese on August 20, 2023. Following the ruling, his €5,000 (£4,176) fine was also overturned.

The French international’s appeal, which took place in August 2024 at CAS headquarters in Switzerland, presented evidence linking an American wellness clinic, 10X Health Systems, to the incident.

Photographic proof of the clinic’s name on one of Pogba’s pill bottles was submitted as part of his defense.

Pogba can now begin preparations for his return to action, with Juventus expected to welcome him back into training at the start of 2025.

France captain Kylian Mbappe has been omitted from the national team for their UEFA Nations League fixtures this month, as confirmed by head coach Didier Deschamps on Thursday.

The decision comes after Mbappe made a brief return from a thigh injury, playing as a substitute in Paris Saint-Germain’s surprising 1-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Deschamps emphasized that the decision to rest the Real Madrid star was made with Mbappe’s long-term fitness in mind.

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“I had an exchange with Kylian. He has a problem which is not serious. I am not going to take risks, which is why he is not in the squad,” the coach stated during a press conference in Paris.

France is set to face Israel in an away match on October 10, relocated to Budapest due to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East.

They will then compete against Belgium in Brussels on October 14. Currently, France sits third in Group A2 with three points after two matches, trailing Italy, who leads with six points.

This squad announcement marks the first since vice-captain Antoine Griezmann’s retirement from international football earlier this week.

Griezmann, who earned 137 caps for Les Bleus, had a significant impact on the team’s dynamics.

Deschamps remarked on his absence, stating, “He had such an impact that we can’t play in the same way. I am not necessarily going to change the system, but I am not going to look for an equivalent player.”

Notably, Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku returns to the squad after a year-long absence, while midfielder N’Golo Kante is also left out.

The full squad for the upcoming matches includes:

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (West Ham United/ENG), Mike Maignan (AC Milan/ITA), Brice Samba (Lens)

Defenders: Jonathan Clauss (Nice), Lucas Digne (Aston Villa/ENG), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea/ENG), Theo Hernandez (AC Milan/ITA), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool/ENG), Jules Kounde (Barcelona/ESP), William Saliba (Arsenal/ENG), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich/GER)

Midfielders: Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid/ESP), Youssouf Fofana (AC Milan/ITA), Matteo Guendouzi (Lazio/ITA), Manu Kone (Roma/ITA), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid/ESP), Warren Zaire-Emery (Paris Saint-Germain)

Forwards: Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele, Randal Kolo Muani (all Paris Saint-Germain), Christopher Nkunku (Chelsea/ENG), Michael Olise (Bayern Munich/GER), Marcus Thuram (Inter Milan/ITA).

In a thrilling match, Lionel Messi delivered a stellar performance, scoring twice as Inter Miami secured a 3-2 victory over defending MLS champions Columbus Crew, clinching the coveted Supporters’ Shield for the best regular-season record.

Messi, who had been relatively quiet for much of the first half, sprang to life just before halftime.

In the 45th minute, he broke the deadlock, chesting down a long ball in the box and capitalizing on a deflection off Columbus defender Malte Amundsen to poke the ball into the net.

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Just minutes later, Messi doubled Miami’s lead with a masterful free-kick, curling the ball past Columbus goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, who remained rooted to the spot.

Messi’s two goals capped a remarkable return from a two-month injury, bringing his season tally to 17 goals and 15 assists in just 17 matches.

Columbus responded swiftly after the break, with Diego Rossi scoring just 20 seconds into the second half.

Rossi curled a clever shot into the far corner to make it 2-1, reigniting hopes for the reigning champions.

However, Columbus’ momentum was short-lived. Straight from the restart, Schulte’s miscommunication with defender Rudy Camacho allowed Luis Suarez to head into an empty net, giving Miami a 3-1 advantage.

The Crew fought back once more, with Cucho Hernandez converting a penalty after Noah Allen was penalized for handball in the box, cutting Miami’s lead to 3-2.

Columbus’ chances took a major hit, though, when Camacho was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a studs-up challenge.

Columbus had a final opportunity to level the score in the 83rd minute after a VAR review awarded them a second penalty.

However, Hernandez’s shot lacked power, and Miami goalkeeper Drake Callender made a crucial save, ensuring Miami’s victory and sealing the Supporters’ Shield.

“I’m happy to achieve the first goal and think about what’s coming. Today was a very tough opponent. We knew it, they are the last champion,” Messi told Apple TV after the match. “We suffered until the end, and that shows what this team is.”

With the Supporters’ Shield now in hand, Inter Miami’s focus will shift to the playoffs as they continue their impressive campaign led by Messi.