Football is recognized as the most followed sport in the world, hence, it happens to be the most anticipated sport throughout the calendar year.
In the modern days, football is more of techniques and tactics. But still, a top physical performance from a set of players can help a team win a game.
There have been instances where pressure rises and unfamiliar scenes occur, for instance, Cristiano Ronaldo's refusal to come on from the Manchester United bench in added time against Tottenham during his second spell at Old Trafford.
However, the aspect that worries the football world the most is the indecent use of drugs to enhance physical performance. It is termed doping and is banned in football.
The football governing bodies are clear on their stance that it is the players' responsibility to not allow any banned substance to enter their bodies knowingly or unknowingly. Still, a handful of cases arise in the game every now and then.
The latest player to face the wrath of the authorities after testing positive for doping is Paul Pogba. The French player was issued a four-year ban after he tested positive in September 2023.
Meanwhile, in this article, we'll have a look at the top footballers who were caught doping and subsequently punished.
1. Diego Maradona
The Argentina legend was notably famous for his wonderful skill apart from the great player he was. But subsequently, the former Napoli player has been caught more than once using illegal drugs.
His first ban came in 1991 while he was with Napoli. Maradona tested positive for cocaine and thus received a fifteen-month ban.
He received a ban in the same period when he was caught being on ephedrine in the 1994 World Cup held in the United States.
Afterwards, he went back to his country (Argentina) to join Boca Juniors and his spell there ended suddenly due to being caught doping before he chose to retire from football.
2. Fabien Barthez
Fabien Barthez, the French international goalkeeper was banned for two months in 1995 after a drug test showed traces of cannabis.
The punishment imposed by the French federation includes a further suspended ban of two months and means that the then Monaco player struggled to regain his place in the France national team.
3. Edgar Davids
Edgar Davids may be more popular for his goggles and his dreadlock hairstyle but he too was caught doping.
The Dutchman moved from AC Milan to join Juventus in 1998. And a few years later failed the drug tests. In 2001, the midfielder was found to have Nandrolene in his body.
4. Josep Guardiola
The Spaniard led Manchester City to a historic treble last season that included the first UEFA Champions League glory for the club.
Interestingly, Pep Guardiola was also caught in the act once during his playing days. It was in the year 2001 when he joined Brescia to play in the Serie A after his FC Barcelona contract expired.
The La Masia graduate was found to be on nandrolone. But later in 2009, he was cleared of all the charges after his appeal.
5. Rene Higuita
Rene Higuita tested positive for cocaine in 2002 and was fired by his club Aucus.
The former Ecuador goalkeeper was found to have abused the use of drugs in a match in October 2002 between Aucas and Olmedo, and this resulted in the termination of his contract in January 2003.
6. Adrian Mutu
Adrian Mutu not only got caught doping in 2004 when he was at Chelsea but six years down the line was banned once again while in the team of Fiorentina.
During his stint with the Blues, Mutu was allegedly using cocaine and was banned for seven months. And the second time in 2010, he was found to be on sibutramine while in Fiorentina.
7. Kolo Toure
The former Arsenal player was once banned for six months. The defender notably tested positive by the anti-doping agencies during his spell in the English top-flight league.
It happened in 2011 and Man City had to replace him with Joleon Lescott in the backline during his absence. In his defense, Toure had stated that he took his wife's tablets without much knowledge.
8. Samir Nasri
Samir Nasri served an 18-month-long ban after being found to have gone for a 500-millilitre infusion.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) only allows players to go through a 50-milliliter infusion in six hours, this is where Nasri was convicted.
His lengthy ban was backdated to 1 July 2017 and thus ended in December 2018. He was back in the game when Premier League side West Ham signed him as soon as his ban ended.
9. Andre Onana
Andre Onana was recruited in this summer's transfer window by Manchester United.
The goalkeeper once said his career almost got derailed when he mistakenly took his wife's tablets. This resulted in him serving a nine-month ban because his urine had diuretic furosemide.
10. Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is the latest player on course to serve a lengthy ban. Even though the former Man United player has appealed for a counter-analysis, his first sample was found to be high in testosterone.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder is on his way to hurting his image and even Juventus has proposed to terminate his contract.
He had been handed a four-and-a-half year ban. Pogba reiterates he didn't know the supplement he was consuming had testosterone.
In the modern days, football is more of techniques and tactics. But still, a top physical performance from a set of players can help a team win a game.
There have been instances where pressure rises and unfamiliar scenes occur, for instance, Cristiano Ronaldo's refusal to come on from the Manchester United bench in added time against Tottenham during his second spell at Old Trafford.
However, the aspect that worries the football world the most is the indecent use of drugs to enhance physical performance. It is termed doping and is banned in football.
The football governing bodies are clear on their stance that it is the players' responsibility to not allow any banned substance to enter their bodies knowingly or unknowingly. Still, a handful of cases arise in the game every now and then.
The latest player to face the wrath of the authorities after testing positive for doping is Paul Pogba. The French player was issued a four-year ban after he tested positive in September 2023.
Meanwhile, in this article, we'll have a look at the top footballers who were caught doping and subsequently punished.
1. Diego Maradona
The Argentina legend was notably famous for his wonderful skill apart from the great player he was. But subsequently, the former Napoli player has been caught more than once using illegal drugs.
His first ban came in 1991 while he was with Napoli. Maradona tested positive for cocaine and thus received a fifteen-month ban.
He received a ban in the same period when he was caught being on ephedrine in the 1994 World Cup held in the United States.
Afterwards, he went back to his country (Argentina) to join Boca Juniors and his spell there ended suddenly due to being caught doping before he chose to retire from football.
2. Fabien Barthez
Fabien Barthez, the French international goalkeeper was banned for two months in 1995 after a drug test showed traces of cannabis.
The punishment imposed by the French federation includes a further suspended ban of two months and means that the then Monaco player struggled to regain his place in the France national team.
3. Edgar Davids
Edgar Davids may be more popular for his goggles and his dreadlock hairstyle but he too was caught doping.
The Dutchman moved from AC Milan to join Juventus in 1998. And a few years later failed the drug tests. In 2001, the midfielder was found to have Nandrolene in his body.
4. Josep Guardiola
The Spaniard led Manchester City to a historic treble last season that included the first UEFA Champions League glory for the club.
Interestingly, Pep Guardiola was also caught in the act once during his playing days. It was in the year 2001 when he joined Brescia to play in the Serie A after his FC Barcelona contract expired.
The La Masia graduate was found to be on nandrolone. But later in 2009, he was cleared of all the charges after his appeal.
5. Rene Higuita
Rene Higuita tested positive for cocaine in 2002 and was fired by his club Aucus.
The former Ecuador goalkeeper was found to have abused the use of drugs in a match in October 2002 between Aucas and Olmedo, and this resulted in the termination of his contract in January 2003.
6. Adrian Mutu
Adrian Mutu not only got caught doping in 2004 when he was at Chelsea but six years down the line was banned once again while in the team of Fiorentina.
During his stint with the Blues, Mutu was allegedly using cocaine and was banned for seven months. And the second time in 2010, he was found to be on sibutramine while in Fiorentina.
7. Kolo Toure
The former Arsenal player was once banned for six months. The defender notably tested positive by the anti-doping agencies during his spell in the English top-flight league.
It happened in 2011 and Man City had to replace him with Joleon Lescott in the backline during his absence. In his defense, Toure had stated that he took his wife's tablets without much knowledge.
8. Samir Nasri
Samir Nasri served an 18-month-long ban after being found to have gone for a 500-millilitre infusion.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) only allows players to go through a 50-milliliter infusion in six hours, this is where Nasri was convicted.
His lengthy ban was backdated to 1 July 2017 and thus ended in December 2018. He was back in the game when Premier League side West Ham signed him as soon as his ban ended.
9. Andre Onana
Andre Onana was recruited in this summer's transfer window by Manchester United.
The goalkeeper once said his career almost got derailed when he mistakenly took his wife's tablets. This resulted in him serving a nine-month ban because his urine had diuretic furosemide.
10. Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is the latest player on course to serve a lengthy ban. Even though the former Man United player has appealed for a counter-analysis, his first sample was found to be high in testosterone.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder is on his way to hurting his image and even Juventus has proposed to terminate his contract.
He had been handed a four-and-a-half year ban. Pogba reiterates he didn't know the supplement he was consuming had testosterone.