Pogba signs a multi-year deal with AS Monaco

Paul Pogba is set to make his long-awaited return to professional football, with reports confirming that the French midfielder will sign a two-year contract with AS Monaco.

The move follows several months of speculation about his next destination, during which he was linked with Olympique Marseille and Saudi Arabian club Al Ittihad. However, in recent weeks, the 2018 World Cup winner focused solely on negotiations with Monaco, a club known for giving second chances to high-profile talents and for its strategic blend of youth development and experienced leadership.

This new chapter marks a significant turning point in Pogba’s career, which has been overshadowed by an 18-month absence from the pitch due to a doping suspension. The saga began in August 2023, shortly after Juventus’ opening match of the Serie A season. Pogba tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone, a result that led to immediate provisional suspension by Italy’s anti-doping authorities. The midfielder maintained his innocence, citing the possibility of contamination from a nutritional supplement, but the ban remained in place. His appeal process did not result in a reduction of the punishment, and by October 2024, Juventus had officially terminated his contract, bringing an abrupt end to what was supposed to be a triumphant second spell in Turin.

Once released, Pogba found himself in a rare position for a player of his profile without a club, without match fitness, but still carrying the reputation of a world-class midfielder. Despite the controversy, several teams across Europe and the Middle East expressed interest. Olympique Marseille were reportedly the first to make informal contact, seeing the potential for a headline-grabbing homecoming to Ligue 1. Al Ittihad, flush with Saudi investment, also explored a deal, viewing Pogba as another high-profile name to add to their growing list of European recruits. But neither approach progressed beyond early stages, as Pogba made clear he preferred to stay in a competitive European league, and above all, close to home.

AS Monaco emerged as the ideal fit. The club, based in the Principality of Monaco but competing in Ligue 1, has both the structure and ambition to offer Pogba a platform for redemption. Their reputation for balancing top-level football with a low-pressure environment, compared to giants like PSG, made the project attractive for a player looking to rebuild his form and image. Monaco coach Adi Hütter is believed to have spoken directly with Pogba to lay out a clear sporting plan and define expectations a conversation that reportedly helped seal the deal.

Although Pogba is not yet ready to return to competitive action, he has been preparing rigorously in private. Determined to silence his critics, he continued individual training throughout the suspension period, hiring private coaches and sports scientists to monitor his physical condition. In recent months, he relocated to Miami, using the facilities there to complete an intensive fitness program. According to those close to the player, Pogba is not only physically stronger than he was before his ban, but also mentally refreshed and motivated to prove himself once again.

His return also comes at a crucial time for French football. With the 2024/25 Ligue 1 season underway and the national team preparing for a new cycle after Euro 2024, the potential resurgence of a player like Pogba could influence squad dynamics and offer depth in midfield though any return to Les Bleus would depend not only on form, but also on regaining trust at the highest level.

For Monaco, the signing is a calculated risk. On the one hand, they are acquiring a player who, at his best, was one of the most dynamic and complete midfielders of his generation a World Cup winner, a Serie A champion, and a Europa League winner. On the other, they must manage the delicate process of reintegrating a player whose recent past has been marred by legal troubles, inconsistent performances, and now a doping suspension. However, Monaco’s technical director Thiago Scuro is said to be optimistic, viewing Pogba as a potential game-changer both on the field and in the dressing room.

There’s also a symbolic dimension to this move. Pogba, born in Lagny-sur-Marne just outside Paris, has never played professionally in France despite rising through Le Havre’s youth ranks before joining Manchester United at a young age. His return to Ligue 1, at 31, offers a kind of homecoming, albeit not in the capital. It’s a chance to reconnect with French football in a more personal, grounded setting far from the media storm of Turin or the spotlight of Old Trafford.

While it may still take weeks before Pogba is fully match-fit and available for selection, Monaco fans are already looking forward to his debut. Social media has been abuzz with anticipation, and ticket interest for the club’s upcoming fixtures has reportedly spiked following the news. If Pogba can rediscover even a fraction of the form that once made him one of Europe’s most sought-after talents, Monaco could have pulled off one of the smartest signings of the season.

In the end, this deal represents more than just a transfer it’s a comeback story. Paul Pogba has faced one of the most difficult periods of his professional life, but with a fresh start in Monaco, the opportunity is there to write a new chapter. The question now is whether he can turn this opportunity into a true resurrection, and remind the world of the talent that once inspired millions.