Paul Pogba has maintained his innocence, asserting he is not a cheat, after his doping ban was reduced earlier this month. He has also expressed his desire to return to the French national team when his suspension ends in March.

The former Manchester United midfielder was initially banned for four years in March, having been provisionally suspended since September of the previous year after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA).

Following an extensive appeals process, the 31-year-old’s ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on 4th October, allowing him to resume his career in March.

The CAS ruling determined that Pogba’s consumption of the prohibited substance was "unintentional" and resulted from mistakenly taking a supplement prescribed by a medical doctor in Florida.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the 2018 World Cup winner emphasised that he has always been a clean athlete.

Pogba stated: "I mean, when you see me, you know me, and people know me. So even when all this happened, they were like, ‘No, for sure we know Paul, he would never take that. If he did, it wasn’t knowingly or it wasn’t deliberate.’ And that is absolutely true.

"I am an honest person and I would admit it. In the end, I would say, ‘Yes, I did it because I felt I needed to,’ but that’s not the case. That’s not me. I’m not a cheat.

"I’m someone who loves my sport, I love the game, and I would never cheat. I like to win fairly, and people know that. You can see it. You see me – I’m someone who is a bad loser, but I’m not a cheat. That’s certain."

Reflecting on his experience, Pogba also remarked on how his suspension gave him a glimpse of life after football, acknowledging that he will return a changed man.

While Pogba is still contracted to Juventus until 2026, the 91-time capped France international remained guarded about his future at the club and fielded questions regarding his next potential destination.

A mutual termination of his contract with the Serie A side is possible, but if that does not happen, Pogba is eligible to return to Juventus training in January, with a major goal of resuming his international career.

When asked about the possibility of returning to the French national team, Pogba asserted: "That’s what I’m hoping for. Of course, it’s on my mind, but I have to be ready for that. There are players who deserve to be in the national team, and I need to earn my place back.

"I’m ready to fight for it."

Pogba also pledged to value the game even more after having experienced the reality of life without football and momentarily fearing his career might be over following the initial ban.

"Obviously, I don’t want to lose the level I’m at, and if I can surpass it, that’s what I want," Pogba added.

"I don’t want my level to change. I’ll still be the same player, but with a different hunger, more motivation, and even more determination. I’ll certainly appreciate the game more than before because it was taken away from me, and I’ve realised how important it is to me.

"I’ve had a taste of what life could be like after my career ends, so this will definitely be a new Paul Pogba. The same, but with even more drive to be on the pitch and play until the end of my career."