Paul Pogba Signs Two-Year Monaco Deal After Doping Ban, Eyes Career Revival
Pogba's Big Return: From Doping Ban to Monaco's Midfield
When most stars fall out of the limelight, few manage a comeback quite as dramatic as Paul Pogba's. After nearly two years on the sidelines, the 32-year-old French midfielder is officially back in the spotlight, having signed with AS Monaco on a free deal. The contract, which binds him to the club until June 2027, is a bold move for both sides—and a major talking point across French football.
Pogba's return isn't your typical transfer story. His time away from the pitch wasn't due to injury or lack of form, but an 18-month doping suspension that cast serious doubts over his future. His last official game was all the way back in September 2023 for Juventus against Empoli. Since then, his career seemed to teeter on the edge. In November, Juventus and Pogba parted ways by mutual consent, a split that stung fans and left Pogba in career limbo. Originally staring down a four-year ban, the suspension was cut to 18 months—a small mercy, but still a massive hit for an athlete at this stage of his career.
Monaco's decision to sign Pogba is a gamble that's hard to ignore. They're not getting the World Cup-winning midfielder at his peak. Instead, they're betting on a player with a proven track record—four Serie A titles with Juventus, a Europa League crown with Manchester United, and memories of leading France to 2018 World Cup glory. If numbers tell a story, Pogba has 423 senior games, 73 goals, and 90 assists, plus 91 caps and 11 goals for France. The question hanging over him, though, is whether those stats can be anything more than history.
Can Pogba Find His Spark in Ligue 1?
The urgency for Pogba is hard to miss. At 32, and after such a lengthy absence, he's not just fighting to reclaim his spot on the pitch—he's battling to prove he still belongs among the elite. Monaco, aware of both the risk and the potential, rolled out the red carpet with a glitzy social media campaign. They referenced his old nickname, 'The Pickaxe,' signaling faith in his ability to dig deep and unearth his best once again.
Pogba’s physical readiness is the big unknown. Nearly two years without competitive football can dull anyone’s edge, especially in a midfield position that demands both stamina and creativity. Monaco has penciled him in for Ligue 1 and European matches, but all eyes will be on how quickly he can adjust and contribute. The coaching staff will likely manage his return carefully, gauging both fitness levels and on-field chemistry.
Supporters appear split between hope and skepticism. Some remember Pogba’s role in France’s 2018 World Cup run—thunderous goals, crisp passes, and leadership. Others can’t shake their doubts: at his age, and with such a significant layoff, can Pogba actually reach those heights again? What’s unmistakable is his personal hunger. Pogba’s return isn’t just about professional pride—it’s about rewriting an ending that, not long ago, looked unfinished and unfair.
If he manages to hit even a fraction of his former heights, Monaco will have pulled off one of the more intriguing revivals in recent football memory. For now, the club is betting big that their new midfielder can bounce back from controversy and time away and shape a fresh chapter in both his career and theirs. The next few months will show if this risk pays off—or if the game has moved beyond the reach of one of its brightest, most unpredictable stars.