Paul Pogba has signed a two-year contract with AS Monaco, marking an emotional return to competitive football following a lengthy doping suspension. The 32-year-old midfielder was visibly moved during the signing ceremony, overcome with emotion as he officially joined the Ligue 1 side.
The former Manchester United and Juventus star had been provisionally suspended after a routine doping test following Juventus’ opening Serie A fixture of the 2023/24 season against Udinese. He was initially handed a four-year ban, which was later reduced to 18 months in October 2024 after a successful appeal.
Pogba expressed his gratitude in an emotional message, saying “Thanks for the trust” after inking the deal. He ended his announcement video with the phrase “La renaissance” — French for “The rebirth” — signalling his intent to reignite his career.
He mutually terminated his contract with Juventus in November 2024 and has been training independently since March as a free agent.
Remarkably, this will be Pogba’s first stint in France’s top flight, despite his strong ties to the country and international success, including winning the 2018 FIFA World Cup with Les Bleus.
In its final ruling, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concluded that Pogba had inadvertently ingested the banned substance dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which boosts testosterone and appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) prohibited list. However, CAS noted that DHEA only has a physiological impact on women, which played a key role in the reduction of his suspension.
Pogba’s move to Monaco not only revives his professional career but offers him a fresh start in a league he has never previously played in.
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