Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder, 32, has signed with Monaco as he looks to relaunch his career following an 18-month suspension. Pogba was initially handed a four-year ban after testing positive for a banned substance following Juventus’ opening match of the 2023-24 season against Udinese. The ban was later reduced after a successful appeal.
In an emotional message after signing, Pogba thanked Monaco for their trust and hinted at a fresh start, closing his announcement with the words “La renaissance”, signaling his intention for a comeback.
He had mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Juventus in November and became eligible to resume his career from March as a free agent. Remarkably, this move marks the first time the French World Cup winner will play in Ligue 1.
According to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Pogba had unknowingly ingested dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance known for boosting testosterone. However, the court noted that DHEA has physiological effects primarily on females.
Pogba’s career began at Manchester United before a successful move to Juventus, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles and two domestic doubles. In 2016, he made a world-record £89 million return to Manchester United, winning the Europa League and FA Cup in his first season.
A key figure in France’s 2018 World Cup-winning team, Pogba scored in the final against Croatia as Les Bleus triumphed 4-2. However, his later years were marred by injuries and inconsistent form, both at Manchester United and during his second stint at Juventus.
Now, with a fresh chapter at Monaco, Pogba is aiming to reignite his career and return to the top of the game.
