Paul Pogba has returned to the heart of French football, and in one of the most dramatic turnarounds in modern sport, he is now officially an AS Monaco player. After more than a year of silence, rehabilitation, and uncertainty, the 2018 World Cup winner signed a two-year deal with the Ligue 1 side, tying him to the club until June 30, 2027.
For a player who once carried the weight of Manchester United’s midfield on his shoulders and dazzled for France on the world stage, this new contract comes not only with anticipation, but with the gravity of personal redemption.
What makes this move so compelling isn’t simply that Paul Pogba is back playing football, it is that he is doing so in France for the very first time at senior level.
Though born and raised in the Parisian suburb of Lagny-sur-Marne and having come through the academy of Le Havre, Pogba never made a senior appearance for a French club before moving to Manchester United’s youth system in 2009.
He matured into a global icon through his years in England and Italy, but France had only watched from afar. Now, he returns not as a rising star, but as a man with something to prove.
Pogba’s last meaningful action on the pitch came over a year ago, and since then, his name has been tied less to performances and more to a highly publicised doping case. In 2023, while playing for Juventus, he tested positive for DHEA, a banned substance known to raise testosterone levels.
Initially handed a four-year ban, Pogba’s legal team filed an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, citing unintentional ingestion. Their case succeeded to some degree, his suspension was halved to 18 months, backdated, and ended earlier this year. Juventus terminated his contract in late 2024, which left Paul Pogba without a club and with a severely damaged reputation.
This isn’t a random move to a quiet team in decline. Monaco finished second in Ligue 1 last season and qualified directly for the UEFA Champions League group stage. The team has been rebuilding quietly but intelligently, with coach Adi Hütter stabilising the dressing room and new signings like Eric Dier bolstering the squad’s maturity.
Reports also suggest that Ansu Fati could be joining in the same window, making Monaco a more dangerous and ambitious side than they’ve been in recent years. Pogba’s experience and flair could be the missing piece in a team that is ready to challenge both domestically and in Europe.
Monaco has always been a unique destination in football. The club plays in one of the wealthiest and smallest sovereign nations in the world. The Stade Louis II is not the most intimidating venue in France, but it carries history, class, and a distinct identity.
Unlike the bright lights of Manchester or the pressure cooker of Turin, the Riviera offers a setting where a player like Pogba can recover without the constant noise of tabloid obsession. It is a place where the spotlight still exists, but it doesn’t burn.
According to insiders close to the deal, Paul Pogba was willing to accept a significant pay cut in order to make this move happen. That alone says a great deal about where his priorities lie. No longer chasing prestige or wages, he now appears motivated by the desire to rediscover the simple love of football.
The question for many fans will be whether he can still deliver at the highest level after such a long absence. But for Paul Pogba, this may not be about being the best midfielder in the world again, it may simply be about being free to play without the expectations that have stalked him for the past decade.
Beyond that, Monaco’s Champions League campaign offers a stage for Pogba to prove he still belongs among Europe’s elite. If he can stay fit, play consistently, and help Monaco challenge both domestically and abroad, his name will resurface in the conversation for the French national team, especially with the 2026 World Cup looming. It’s no longer unthinkable that Paul Pogba, once an outcast, could wear the blue shirt of France again.
What’s Next for Paul Pogba
Now that the deal has been signed and confirmed, Paul Pogba’s journey back to top-level football enters a critical phase. The first major step will be his official unveiling by AS Monaco at the Stade Louis II. This is expected to be a media-heavy presentation, not only because of Pogba’s status in world football, but also because of the narrative attached to his return.
A player who just a year ago was considered suspended indefinitely now stands before cameras again, not in disgrace, but in redemption. Monaco will be banking on this unveiling to generate excitement and energy heading into the new season.
In footballing terms, the real work begins on the training ground. It remains to be seen whether he is ready to start from the opening day or whether his return to action will be gradual.
The fixture calendar points to a potentially emotional return if he is available for Monaco’s Ligue 1 opener against Le Havre, his former youth club. Such a debut would be more than just coincidence; it would be symbolic.
Beyond Ligue 1, Pogba’s eyes will also be on Europe. With Monaco set to return to the UEFA Champions League this season, the opportunity to play continental football again gives his return even more weight. For Monaco, his experience and ability could be vital in a competition where small margins and moments of brilliance often separate success from failure.
Pogba has played in the Champions League semi-finals and Europa League finals. That pedigree matters. And if he can regain even a fraction of his former influence, Monaco could be a far more dangerous side than many in Europe are anticipating.
For Paul Pogba personally, the road ahead offers more than redemption, it could offer resurrection. The French national team has not ruled out his return, and with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, this upcoming season could serve as an audition. France’s national team coach, Didier Deschamps has always valued Pogba’s unique midfield profile, and if he proves himself indispensable at Monaco, the door to Les Bleus could open again.
But none of that will come easy. What lies ahead is a demanding climb, and Pogba knows the world will be watching every step. He is no longer the young prodigy or the flamboyant record-breaker. He is a man trying to reclaim his name, his game, and his legacy. And in Monaco, he finally has the space and the stage to do just that.
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