Paul Pogba fought back tears as he officially signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco, marking his emotional return to competitive football after serving an 18-month doping suspension.
The 32-year-old former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder has been without a club since November 2023, when he and Juventus mutually agreed to terminate his contract in the wake of a provisional suspension. That suspension followed a failed drug test after Juventus’ opening match of the 2023–24 Serie A season against Udinese.
In his Monaco unveiling, Pogba expressed gratitude and determination. “Thanks for the trust,” he said in a heartfelt video message shared by the club. The clip ended with the words “La renaissance” — French for “The rebirth” — suggesting the World Cup winner is aiming for a personal and professional comeback.
Return to Ligue 1 at Last
This move to Monaco marks Pogba’s first venture into Ligue 1, despite being born and raised in France. Having come through the youth system at Le Havre, he moved abroad early, joining Manchester United’s academy at 16 before his first spell at Juventus.
His return to top-level football comes after a rollercoaster period that saw his once-glittering career thrown into uncertainty.
Doping Suspension Explained
Pogba’s suspension stemmed from the presence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels, in his system. He had tested positive during a random check in August 2023.
Initially handed a four-year ban by Italian anti-doping authorities, Pogba appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which reduced the ban to 18 months in October 2024.
The court’s final ruling stated that Pogba had taken the substance inadvertently and that DHEA’s effects are primarily limited to females, significantly weakening the argument of competitive enhancement in his case.
This allowed Pogba to resume training and register with clubs from March 2025, though he has had to wait until now to complete a move.
From Record-Breaker to Rebuilder
Pogba’s journey to Monaco represents a dramatic chapter in one of modern football’s most talked-about careers. In 2016, he became the most expensive footballer in the world when Manchester United paid £89 million to re-sign him from Juventus.
He won the Europa League and the League Cup during his first season back at Old Trafford and was pivotal in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, even scoring in the final against Croatia.
However, the years that followed were plagued by injuries, inconsistency, and friction with management, particularly under Jose Mourinho. He eventually left Manchester United in 2022 for a second spell with Juventus — this time on a free transfer.
His second stint in Turin failed to live up to expectations, with physical setbacks and his doping case overshadowing any on-field contributions.
A Fresh Start in Monaco
Now, Pogba is hoping for a fresh start in the principality. Monaco, known for reviving careers and nurturing talent, may offer the perfect environment for him to rebuild both his reputation and his form.
While he joins a squad brimming with young talent, Pogba’s experience could prove vital in their bid for domestic and European success. His leadership, technical ability, and hunger to redeem himself might yet make him a force in Ligue 1.
Fans and pundits will be watching closely to see if the once-world’s most expensive player can recapture the magic that made him a global icon.
A Career at the Crossroads
With 91 caps for France and a World Cup medal in his cabinet, Pogba’s legacy is already secure in many ways. Yet this latest chapter — marked by controversy, humility, and a desire to start anew — could define the final act of a career unlike any other.
As Pogba takes his first steps back onto the pitch in Monaco colours, the football world waits to see whether La renaissance is just a tagline — or a true comeback.
