French midfielder Paul Pogba has officially returned to professional football, signing a two-year contract with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, the club announced on Saturday.
The move marks a significant comeback for the 2018 World Cup winner, who has been largely absent from competitive play over the past two years due to a combination of injuries, a doping suspension, and a high-profile extortion case. The 32-year-old, whose contract with Juventus was terminated last year, has been cleared to play since March 2024, following the end of an 18-month ban after failing a drugs test in August 2023.
Despite his challenges, Pogba says he is mentally and physically ready to get back on the pitch. “I am determined to get back on the pitch, mentally ready, physically ready — it’s just a matter of time,” he told French media last weekend.
This will be Pogba’s first professional stint in Ligue 1. He began his football journey in the youth ranks of Le Havre before joining Manchester United in 2009. After limited opportunities in the senior squad, Pogba moved to Juventus in 2012, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles and established himself as one of the top midfielders in the world. His performances earned him a then-world record €105 million transfer back to Manchester United in 2016.
However, his second spell at Old Trafford and subsequent return to Juventus in 2022 were marred by recurring injuries and off-field issues, including a headline-grabbing extortion attempt involving his brother, Mathias Pogba, who was sentenced earlier this year to a three-year prison term, with two years suspended.
Pogba has scored 11 goals in 91 appearances for the French national team and played a crucial role in their 2018 World Cup triumph, including a goal in the final against Croatia.
Monaco, who finished third in Ligue 1 last season and secured a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, will be hoping Pogba’s experience and leadership can add depth to their midfield as they return to Europe’s top competition.
