Alejandro ‘Papu’ Gomez, who was a part of Argentina’s World Cup-winning team alongside Lionel Messi in 2022, has been handed a two-year ban after failing a drug test. The 35-year-old forward, who recently joined Monza in Italy as a free agent, tested positive for a prohibited substance before the tournament in Qatar, where he secured a gold medal.
Gomez’s former club, La Liga’s Sevilla, was informed of the test results, but he was only recently notified of his suspension. This ban may lead to an early retirement for the veteran playmaker.
Gomez attributed his positive test to a children’s cough syrup he took after a sleepless night, without consulting Sevilla’s medical staff. However, this explanation was not accepted by anti-doping authorities.
With this suspension in effect, Gomez must decide whether to appeal the verdict in an attempt to overturn or reduce the lengthy ban.
Gomez is most recognized for his seven-year stint at Serie A’s Atalanta from 2014 to 2021, where he made 252 appearances and contributed to the club’s contention for Champions League qualification. After leaving Atalanta and a brief period at Sevilla, his contract was terminated in the summer of 2023.
Despite the controversy surrounding his ban, Gomez had the honor of being a world champion, participating in two matches alongside Messi at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
