Papu Gómez said why he kept his doping a secret from Lionel Messi at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Along with other football luminaries including Francesco Totti, Rivaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Michael Owen, Edgar Davids, and Paolo Maldini, the World Cup-winning midfielder was invited to an event hosted by the city’s Ministry of Tourism.

“I’m thrilled to be a part of this wonderful occasion with such legendary football players. The midfielder, who hasn’t participated in an official game since October 8, 2023, and who was later suspended for two years after testing positive for doping, added, “Long live football.”

It is important to note that Papu is awaiting an appeal that his legal team filed in order to get the penalty reduced. After working with clubs in Italy and Spain since December, pending clearance, this was his second step toward temporarily returning to the field.

On October 8, 2023, Alejandro “Papu” Gómez played his final official match, defeating Salernitana in the eighth round of the tournament with Monza.

He is anticipated to return in October 2025, when he will be 37 years and 8 months old and able to resume his activities.

When he is cleared to return to the field, Papu Gómez has indicated which team he would like to play for.

“I want to live with my family and enjoy the remaining years of football in a wonderful city and club. Papu said, “It’s just around the corner.”

The 36-year-old midfielder is already getting ready, even though it will still be several months before he is re-registered by FIFA and his future is still up in the air. “Next season, I hope to return. I think I have a couple more years left to play,” he said.