Pogba joins Monaco on a two-year deal, his first pro club in France.
Paul Pogba has finally returned to French football, officially joining Monaco and setting his eyes on a bigger goal: playing for the national team again. Speaking during his unveiling on Thursday, Pogba said representing France once more would be “a dream and a bonus.”
Pogba, now 32, last wore the French jersey in March 2022. Since then, he’s been off the radar, mainly due to injuries, a doping suspension, and off-field legal troubles. Despite everything, the World Cup winner still has hopes of reclaiming his spot in the national squad.
“I’m focused on getting back to my best,” Pogba said. “It’s every player’s dream to play for the national team, but you have to earn your place.”
France has done well in his absence, reaching the 2022 World Cup final and last year’s Euros semis, but Pogba believes he can still add value.
Pogba’s last few seasons were filled with setbacks. He managed just 12 games after leaving Manchester United for Juventus. A failed doping test after a Juventus match in August 2023 and later legal drama, including the extortion case involving his brother, further disrupted his career.
In 2024, Pogba’s brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in jail for his role in a 2022 blackmail attempt. The shocking incident involved demands of over €13 million from the footballer, shaking both his personal life and public image.
With a new club, a clean slate, and the support of Monaco, Pogba is looking to rebuild. The midfielder knows that the road back to France’s national team will take effort and performance but he’s ready to fight for it.
