Paul Pogba has officially signed a two-year contract with AS Monaco, marking his return to professional football in France on June 28, 2025, following an 18‑month doping suspension (reuters.com).

 What happened?

1. Doping Suspension & Appeal

In February 2024, Pogba received a four-year ban after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a testosterone booster (reuters.com).

He appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which in October 2024 reduced the suspension to 18 months, citing inadvertent ingestion via prescribed supplements and noting the substance poses a performance impact only in females (bbc.com).

The ban effectively lasted from September 2023 to March 2025, after which Pogba became eligible to play again (bbc.com).

2. Departure from Juventus

Juventus mutually terminated Pogba’s contract in November 2024, which had been set to expire in 2026 (reuters.com).

During his second stint, lingering injuries severely limited him to just 12 appearances before the ban (reuters.com).

3. Decision to Join Monaco

• After being free to play from March 2025, Pogba reportedly turned down offers from MLS and Saudi Arabia, opting to return to France (theguardian.com).

He chose Monaco not just for its Champions League qualification but also to reignite his France career, with hopes of returning to Didier Deschamps’ squad (mixvale.com.br).

• Monaco, fresh off a 3rd-place Ligue 1 finish in 2024–25, seeks to strengthen its midfield, and Pogba will don the number 8 shirt, his first professional stint in France .

 Why it Matters

• Career Relaunch: Pogba was once one of world football’s most electrifying midfielders—his move aims to revive that stardom.

• Guarantor of Quality & Profile: His presence adds star power to Monaco and injects international experience.

• Return to the Heart of Football: It’s his first senior club in France—a strong symbolic return home .

 In Numbers & Titles

• Age: 32

International Caps: 91 for France, including the 2018 World Cup win (en.wikipedia.org)

• Transfer Fees:

From Juventus to Man U in 2016: ~£89 m (world record then) (reuters.com)

• • Free moves: 2022 (Man U → Juve), 2025 (to Monaco)

• Trophies:

  • 4× Serie A

  • Ligue Cup + Europa League (with Man U)

  • 2018 World Cup

 What Comes Next?

Medical & Debut: Pogba has signed and likely completed his medical.

He’s expected to debut in either late July for pre‑season or the start of Ligue 1 in mid-August, possibly against his old youth club Le Havre (talksport.com, reuters.com, foxsports.com).

Role at Monaco: He’ll anchor midfield alongside talents like Éric Dier, Zakaria, and Camará.

His leadership, experience, and technical control are seen as vital (as.com).

Long-Term Goals: Aiming for Champions League success and a France recall ahead of the next World Cup cycle.

Paul Pogba’s two‑year Monaco deal is more than just a transfer—it’s a comeback narrative.

After a turbulent last two years marked by injury and controversy, he returns to France, determined to reclaim his form and national team place, while Monaco hopes his unmatched pedigree propels them to new heights.

reuters.com

• talksport.com

• as.com

• theguardian.com