From World Champion to Suspension
Alejandro “Papu” Gómez, once celebrated as a World Cup winner with Argentina, has found himself in the depths of disappointment following a doping scandal that led to a two-year suspension from football.
🚨 BREAKING: World Cup winner Papu Gómez has been banned for doping — reports @relevo.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 20, 2023
🇦🇷 Two year ban for the Argentine who recently signed with Italian side Monza as free agent after contract terminated at Sevilla. pic.twitter.com/XKNsgGhXlY
Gómez, known for his standout performances with Atalanta and Sevilla, reached the pinnacle of his career in 2022 when he helped Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, secure the FIFA World Cup. However, his journey took a dramatic turn when he tested positive for the banned substance terbutaline in October 2023, while playing for Monza in Italy’s Serie A.
A Cough Syrup That Changed Everything
The story began in November 2022, when Gómez, still a Sevilla player, had a late-night coughing fit. Unable to sleep, he took a small dose of his young son’s cough syrup, unaware that it contained terbutaline, a prohibited substance.
Reflecting on the incident during a podcast interview, Gómez explained, “It was an honest mistake. A few days later, there was a surprise anti-doping test. When the doctor asked if I had taken anything, I completely forgot about the syrup. If I had mentioned it, nothing would have happened because it could’ve been declared.”
The results of the test, however, came back during the World Cup in Qatar, just four days before Argentina’s final against France. “It was horrible. I was celebrating, but deep inside, I was worried about what would happen next,” Gómez admitted.
Suspension Ends His Career Highs
The consequences of that mistake surfaced a year later when Monza confirmed the two-year suspension. “The presence of terbutaline was found in his biological samples,” the club’s statement read. “It was a result of an involuntary intake during a bronchospasm episode in October 2022.”
The suspension marked a sudden end to Gómez’s career highs. “I went from being a world champion to no one calling me, no more games, no spotlight. It was devastating,” he shared. “But I’ve learned to prioritize other things in life. You’re not the best when you’re at the top, and you’re not the worst when you’re down.”
Starting Over with Hope
Now residing in Italy, Gómez is determined to find a fresh start. Although he still has a year left on his ban, he remains optimistic. “I feel like a kid again, dreaming of making my debut. I have to earn my place once more,” he said.
From the heights of World Cup glory to the challenges of a doping scandal, Papu Gómez’s story is a reminder of how unpredictable life in football can be.