Lionel Messi reached the top of world soccer on December 18, 2022, when he led Argentina to victory over France within the FIFA World Cup Last. Alongside him, 25 different gamers etched their names into the game’s most superb chapter. However not lengthy after that triumph, a kind of stars was handed a big suspension for testing constructive for a banned substance.
Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez was a starter in Argentina’s matches towards Saudi Arabia and Australia in the course of the 2022 World Cup. On the time, he was taking part in for Sevilla in La Liga, the place he remained till the summer time of 2023. His transfer to Monza sparked excessive hopes for the Italian aspect, which had simply signed a 35-year-old World Cup champion who nonetheless had a lot to supply.
Nevertheless, Gomez’s stint at Monza was short-lived. He performed solely two Serie A matches earlier than it was revealed he had examined constructive in an October 2022 anti-doping management for Terbutaline, a substance banned by the World Anti-Doping Company. The Argentine midfielder defined that he had taken a cough syrup supposed for his youngsters—however the rationalization didn’t stop a two-year suspension.
Now getting ready for his return to the pitch with Padova in Italy’s Serie B, Papu opened up about that troublesome chapter in an interview on the De Visitante podcast. “The primary few months had been powerful. It was onerous for me to observe soccer at first—I’d flip off the TV. Soccer had died for me,” stated Alejandro.
Alejandro Gomez of Argentina walks previous the The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Winner’s Trophy.
“I remoted myself and began working with a psychologist as a result of I used to be caught in a loop I couldn’t get out of,” added the 37-year-old midfielder, who final performed an official match on October 8, 2023, in Monza’s 3–0 win over Salernitana. “Why ought to I be compelled to retire from soccer once I don’t wish to and it’s not my time? Why ought to two or three folks in fits, who’ve by no means performed sports activities, resolve once I’m carried out?”
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Gomez questions anti-doping requirements
In the identical interview, Alejandro Gomez shared his views on how anti-doping is regulated in skilled soccer. Particularly, he criticized what he sees as inconsistencies in how circumstances are judged and punished.
“You’re taking cocaine or smoke marijuana and so they offer you a six-month ban,” stated Papu. “I needed to serve two years for consuming my son’s cough syrup. Who could make sense of that?”
Gomez displays on soccer and life after the ban
With the advantage of time and perspective, Alejandro Gomez mirrored on each his skilled journey and what nonetheless lies forward. “I don’t wish to reside off reminiscences. I can’t come residence and watch a purpose I scored 5 years in the past. What’s the purpose? A very powerful factor is the current,” he stated.
Papu additionally admitted he was disenchanted by the best way folks near him behaved after his suspension. “When issues are going effectively, everybody’s round. After they’re not, nobody is,” stated the midfielder. “There’s all types of individuals, however I used to be shocked by what number of simply disappeared.”
Gomez’s suspension will formally finish in October, clearing the best way for his debut with Padova in Serie B. Now 37, he’s aiming to return to prime type and shut out a profitable profession on his personal phrases—even when his golden days with Argentina and Sevilla are already behind him.
