Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is not the only high-profile footballer facing an extended period out of the game. Because one of the strikers linked with a January move to the Premier League giants has now been slapped with a two-year suspension.
As laid out by BBC Sport, it could be 2026 by the time one of the biggest talents in Brazilian football next takes to the pitch.
While not quite as lengthy as Pogba’s – the injury-hit Juventus ace suffering what could be a career-ending absence from football – the casts serious doubt on the future, and the career, of a goalscoring machine who was reportedly on the radar of Manchester United only a few months ago.
Gabriel Barbosa, the Flamengo talisman and the Brazil international, has been hit with a two-year suspension for an ‘attempted anti-doping fraud’. The story is not over of course. Flamengo have already confirmed their intention to appeal the verdict, while Barbosa has taken to X to plead his innocence.
Manchester United linked striker gets two-year ban
“I have never attempted to obstruct or defraud any test, and I trust that I will be cleared by the higher court,” the former Inter Milan and Benfica forward writes. “Since the beginning of my career as a footballer, I have always followed the rules of the game and never used banned substances. I have been subjected to dozens of tests, all of which have always been negative.
“I am disappointed with the outcome of the judgement, but I will continue co-operating with the sporting authorities and trust that my innocence will be proven and re-established by the higher court.”
The £17 million-rated Barbosa, who’s ‘Gabigol’ nickname speaks volumes about his impressive goals return over in South America, was linked with Man United ahead of the January transfer window. The Mirror even suggested that the much-criticised winger Antony could join Flamengo on loan as part of the negotiation.
A potential swap deal never looked likely to materialise, however, once the extend of the Financial Fair Play issues facing Man United became clear. Erik ten Hag would later confirm that those FFP fears denied United the chance to bring another centre-forward to Old Trafford.
Should his two-year ban be upheld, then any lingering hopes Barbosa may have had about another spell in European football will be over for good.
Gabriel Barbosa’s Old Trafford chances look over
The well-travelled 27-year-old has a staggering 143 goals and 38 assists in 261 Flamengo appearances.
Man United, meanwhile,are reportedly planning to bring in an experienced striker to ese the burden on Rasmus Hojlund this summer, per Fabrizio Romano. Ironically, Gabriel Barbosa may have fit the bill.