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Samuel - July 1, 2025
Paul Pogba’s return to football with Ligue 1 giants AS Monaco has reignited headlines across the football world, marking one of the most dramatic comebacks in recent history.
The 2018 World Cup winner turned down lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer to sign a two-year contract with Monaco, a bold move that signals his determination to return to top-tier European football.
After serving an 18-month suspension following a doping ban, Pogba was cleared to play in March 2025. His arrival in Monaco is more than a fresh start, it’s a defining chapter in his career, aiming to reclaim the level that once made him one of Europe’s elite midfielders.
With the football world watching closely, Paul Pogba’s return to the pitch has major implications for Monaco’s season ahead. This article explores his comeback, tactical role, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Long regarded as one of football’s most gifted midfielders, Paul Pogba’s career has been a mix of brilliance and controversy. After rising through Manchester United’s academy, he became a global star at Juventus, most notably in the 2015/16 season when he recorded 8 Serie A goals and 12 assists.
That success led to then, a record £89 million return to Manchester United in 2016, where he won the Europa League and League Cup in his first season and starred in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.
However, Pogba’s return to Juventus in 2022 was marred by injury setbacks and off-field drama. His lowest point came in September 2023 when he tested positive for testosterone metabolites. Initially handed a four-year ban in March 2024, Pogba successfully appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which reduced the suspension to 18 months due to unintentional consumption.
Now fit and cleared to play, Pogba has joined AS Monaco in what he calls “La renaissance”, a rebirth he hopes will reignite his once-glittering career.
In terms of tactical setup, Paul Pogba’s Monaco transfer could be a game-changer for head coach Adi Hutter. Known for his vertical style of play, Hutter’s Monaco relies on physical midfielders capable of quick transitions and intelligent ball progression, qualities Pogba possesses in abundance.
Pogba can thrive in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, playing as a box-to-box midfielder, deep-lying playmaker, or advanced creator. His club career tally of 97 assists and 76 goals speaks volumes about his attacking influence.
A likely midfield trio of Pogba, Denis Zakaria, and Lamine Camara combines defensive solidity, passing range, and creative spark. Zakaria’s presence as a defensive anchor allows Pogba to push higher up the pitch or dictate tempo from deeper positions.
For a Monaco side that lacked a midfield engine in the 2024/25 campaign, Pogba’s arrival fills a critical gap in the team.
Under Adi Hutter, AS Monaco have become a consistent force in Ligue 1, securing back-to-back Champions League qualifications and finishing third last season. But now, with marquee arrivals like Paul Pogba and Ansu Fati (on loan from Barcelona), the club is pushing to challenge Paris Saint-Germain and make a serious run in Europe.
The bitter 4-3 aggregate loss to Benfica in the Champions League playoffs last season still lingers, and Pogba’s signing could be the missing piece needed to overcome such hurdles.
More than just a boost in technical quality, Pogba adds leadership, a winning mentality, and valuable big-game experience, assets Monaco will need if they hope to lift silverware.
His transfer is a clear signal of intent: Monaco are ready to evolve from contenders to champions in the coming season.
While the excitement around Pogba’s comeback is justified, concerns over his match fitness remain valid. After 18 months away from competitive football, rebuilding rhythm and sharpness won’t happen overnight.
Pogba maintained his conditioning during suspension with intense personal training, but match tempo and physical duels in Ligue 1 will demand time and gradual adaptation. Expect a carefully managed integration into the squad during pre-season and the early weeks of the 2025/26 campaign.
Nonetheless, Pogba has consistently demonstrated resilience throughout his career. Whether it was injury setbacks or media scrutiny, he has always found a way to return stronger. With the right tactical environment and fitness support, there’s every reason to believe Paul Pogba can thrive at Monaco.
Paul Pogba’s transfer to AS Monaco is more than just a headline, it’s a high-stakes career revival that could reshape Monaco’s title hopes and Ligue 1 dynamics. His return brings a blend of technical excellence, emotional redemption, and leadership that few players in world football can match.
As the 2025/26 season approaches, Monaco’s fans and the wider football world will be watching closely. If Pogba delivers, his comeback could go down as one of the greatest redemption arcs in modern football.
