This is the campaign of River Plate fans to convince Paulo Pogba to play for their team

Paul Pogba made headlines this Monday after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 18 months. The 2018 World Cup winner has been working hard to maintain his fitness in anticipation of his return, which is expected in March 2025. Although Pogba is still under contract with Juventus until June 2026, rumors surfaced today linking him to Argentina's River Plate, making him a trending topic on X (formerly Twitter).

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Doping Ban and Speculation About River Plate Transfer

Pogba was initially sanctioned in February of this year after testing positive for the substance dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced the reduction of his suspension, meaning the former Manchester United star could soon rejoin the professional ranks. Following this update, the hashtag #PogbaARiver went viral on social media, with fans sharing images of the French star wearing a River Plate jersey once worn by Juan Fernando Quintero.

The rumors sparked excitement among River Plate supporters, who began to imagine Pogba joining their team for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Memes and fan reactions flooded the platform, including a notable post from user Frabigol, who wrote in French: "What’s better for a World Cup champion than to revitalize his career with three other world champions? Come to River, Pablo. Feel the love of 90,000 fans every week!" The excitement reached new levels when a screenshot appeared to show Pogba himself liking the trend on the platform.

A History of Friendship with Juan Fernando Quintero

The speculation around Pogba’s potential move to River Plate was further fueled by old connections. Photos circulated of the Frenchman posing with River icons like David Trezeguet, as well as with images from the 1996 Intercontinental Cup final between River Plate and Juventus, which featured Enzo Francescoli and Zinedine Zidane. Zidane, a confessed admirer of Francescoli, even named his eldest son Enzo in honor of the Uruguayan legend.

The connection between Pogba and River Plate also traces back to his friendship with Colombian star Juan Fernando Quintero. In 2017, Quintero posted a picture of himself with Pogba, referring to him as "my brother." The pair later trained together in Miami in 2022 under fitness coach César Murillo, solidifying their bond. “They met in Italy. Pogba told Juanfer, ‘You play well, you should come play with me,’” Murillo revealed in an interview.

• Pogba’s four-year doping ban has been reduced to 18 months, allowing him to return in March 2025.
• He tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in February 2023.
• The French midfielder is under contract with Juventus until June 2026.
• Rumors of a potential move to River Plate surfaced on social media, making Pogba a trending topic on X.
• Pogba has a longstanding friendship with River’s Juan Fernando Quintero, fueling speculation of a possible transfer.