Paul Pogba might just be the plot twist football’s 2025 summer transfer window needed. After nearly two years out of the game and a doping ban that had everyone questioning whether we’d ever see the French maestro back on the pitch, the 32-year-old is reportedly on the verge of signing a two-year deal with AS Monaco.
Yes, the same Pogba who dazzled at Juventus, split opinions at Manchester United, and lifted the World Cup in 2018, he’s now grinding his way back, one social media post and training session at a time.
From Four Years Out to a Second Chance
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Pogba was hit with a four-year ban after testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance. But after appealing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, the ban was cut down to 18 months. His contract with Juventus was terminated in November, and he officially became a free agent. Since March, he’s been eligible to play but finding the right club proved tricky.
Enter Monaco. According to Le Parisien, Pogba has now agreed to join Monaco after making “significant financial sacrifices.” The club had shown interest back in January, but the move was deemed too costly at the time. Fast forward to June, and the stars have seemingly aligned.
As if to fuel the fire, Pogba recently posted a training clip on social media with the caption: “I think it’s time.” Oh yes, Paul. We think so too.
“I Had Many Thoughts to Even Stop Playing”
Pogba opened up about the mental toll during an interview with ESPN last year, and let’s just say, this wasn’t your average injury comeback story. The quotes speak for themselves:
“Yeah, I had many thoughts in my head, I had so many thoughts to even stop playing,” – Paul Pogba to ESPN
“I’m like: ‘What am I going to do?’ If it’s four years, you start making the maths in your head. Four years not playing, training, which club is going to want me? Would I be fit and stuff like that, you make a lot of pictures in your head. But on the other side, I had faith obviously, and I was positive.” – Pogba
His relationship with France boss Didier Deschamps also came into focus. Pogba called it “rare” and something he’s “grateful” for. The dream? To get back into Les Bleus’ squad before the 2026 World Cup.
“I knew I didn’t do anything wrong on purpose, so thankfully that happened and they reduce it. It’s so good to have somebody that is your manager [France boss Didier Deschamps] and you can have a good relationship also outside football.” – Pogba
“And this is really rare and that’s why I’m very grateful and appreciate the relationship that I have with him. We need to respect these players [in the France team], also that they’re here and you have to respect that. And the way I respect that is, for me, training hard to deserve my place because they deserve to be in the position and to play for the national team.”
