Argentina's World Cup winner winger Alejandro "Papu" Gómez has been banned for two years for failing an anti-doping test, his Italian club Monza announced on Friday.
Gomez tested positive in October last year while playing for Sevilla, shortly before joining the Argentina squad that went on to win the World Cup in Qatar.
"AC Monza announces that today, 20 October 2023, FIFA has notified the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission of the first instance ruling of the Spanish Anti-Doping Commission against the player Alejandro Dario Gomez," the statement said.
The club went on to mention that the presence of terbutaline, a drug taken to calm a bronchospasm crisis, was found in the player's sample.
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Gomez had reportedly felt unwell on a night, while he was training with Sevilla, just before the World Cup. As a result, he took a syrup from one of his children.
The forward made two appearances for Argentina before Lionel Messi led the team to their third World Cup title in Qatar in December.
Gomez was completely aware of the situation but he got to know about the ban this week, leaving his World Cup trophy and legacy in jeopardy, as he had joined the Argentina camp shortly after that day.
They defeated France in the final to lift the title, beating them on penalties after the game ended in a 2-2 scoreline after 90 minutes followed by a scoreline of 3-3 at the extra time.
Gomez was warming the bench when Sevilla lifted the Europa League last season, defeating Roma on penalties in the final as he and the club agreed to terminate his contract on September 1.
Gomez joined Sevilla in January 2021 and played 90 times for the La Liga side, scoring 10 goals and assisting six more. He then joined Monza three weeks ago as a free agent and has played in two Serie A matches without scoring since making his return to Italy.
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Gomez is the second Serie A player involved in a doping case this season. Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba tested positive for testosterone.