In football, many famous players have been banned for using drugs (Cocaine, Marijuana, etc.) and other performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs). FIFA has banned players who have tested positive for drugs, and among those banned, there are many players who have lost their playing careers, but there are also many who have recovered and returned to their best form. It is not that every football player is tested and eliminated if they fail a drug test, but when a football match or a competition is tested, players are randomly selected. It is not known in advance which players will be included in the list of those tested. Today, we will present 5 famous players who have been banned for using drugs.

1. Paul Pogba

In September 2023, Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba was banned for four years for testing positive for the banned substance testosterone. Pogba's ban was later reduced to 18 games on appeal.

2. Rio Ferdinand

A key defender for Manchester United and England, Rio Ferdinand was banned for eight months in 2003 after refusing a doping test, which meant he missed Euro 2004.

3. Andre Onana

Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana was banned for 12 matches for taking a banned substance, Furosemide (a diuretic), while at Ajax in 2021. Onana's ban was reduced from 12 months to 9 months on appeal. He returned to Ajax after the ban ended and played for one season before moving to Inter Milan on a free transfer at the end of the season.

4. Maradona

One of the best players in world football, Maradona, known as the "hand of God", was banned twice for doping in his career. In 1991, Maradona tested positive for cocaine while playing for Italian Serie A club Napoli, and was banned for 15 months. The second time was in 1994 when Maradona took a banned substance called Ephedrine, which led to him missing the 1994 World Cup.

5. Adrian Mutu

Romanian player Adrian Mutu is a player who can play in the attacking and defensive positions and has had a great career with teams such as Inter Milan, Parma, Chelsea, Juventus, and Fiorentina. Adrian Mutu has also been banned twice for doping. He joined Stamford Bridge in 2003 and was banned for 7 months in 2004 for using the banned substance Cocaine. In 2010, he tested positive for the banned substance Sibutramine while playing for Fiorentina, and was banned for 9 months.

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