Paul Pogba has officially joined Monaco on a two-year deal, marking his return to professional football after nearly two years away from the game.
The French midfielder’s career had been on hold due to a series of setbacks, including a string of injuries, an 18-month doping suspension, and his involvement as a victim in a high-profile extortion case.
The doping case, which stemmed from a failed test following a Juventus match in August 2023, led to the termination of his contract with the Italian club. Though eligible to return to football since March, Pogba had remained without a club until now. This move to Monaco represents his first-ever stint in France’s top-flight league.
Speaking recently on French television, the 32-year-old declared, “I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready, it’s just a matter of time.”
Pogba began his journey in football at Le Havre’s youth academy before signing with Manchester United in 2009. After limited playing time in England, he joined Juventus in 2012 and won four Serie A titles. He later returned to Manchester United for a then-record €105 million transfer, only to rejoin Juventus in 2022, where injuries hampered his comeback.
In 2024, Pogba’s brother, Mathias, received a three-year prison sentence (two years suspended) for attempting to extort €13 million from him in 2022.
Internationally, Pogba has made 91 appearances for France, scoring 11 goals, including one in the 2018 World Cup final against Croatia.
Monaco, his new club, will be competing in the Champions League next season following a third-place finish in Ligue 1.
What you should know
Paul Pogba is making a comeback in Ligue 1 with Monaco after years of physical and personal challenges. The move signals a fresh chapter for the 2018 World Cup winner as he aims to re-establish himself at the top level of European football.
