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Papu Gómez Breaks Silence on Doping Ban, Sets October Return With Padova

He frames the comeback as a personal reset after a two-year suspension for terbutaline.

Overview

  • Spain’s anti-doping authority imposed a two-year ban in October 2023 after Gómez tested positive for the prohibited substance terbutaline.
  • Gómez says the positive stemmed from taking his child’s cough syrup and accepts responsibility under strict-liability rules.
  • He describes an intense psychological toll that included isolation, turning off football, and working with psychologists while training alone.
  • He confirms plans to resume his career in October with Calcio Padova in Italy’s Serie B after serving the sanction.
  • He praises Lionel Scaloni’s management of Argentina’s squad and recounts advising the staff to look at Cristian “Cuti” Romero during their Atalanta days.