Monaco CEO Comments on Paul Pogba’s Struggles and Future

Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, has recognized that the club’s initial plan for Paul Pogba is not proceeding as anticipated. The former French international has managed to participate in only 30 minutes of play since his transfer to Monaco last summer.

The 32-year-old midfielder, with a history at prestigious clubs such as Manchester United and Juventus, joined Monaco on a two-year contract aiming to revitalize a career that has faced significant challenges due to injuries and a doping suspension.

Pogba has been sidelined for a month due to a left calf injury incurred during training, adding to a series of physical setbacks that delayed his debut with Monaco until late November.

“The program and the plan for Paul is not working the way we expected at the outset,” Scuro stated on Wednesday. “He is understandably troubled by his struggles and desires to be more available and increase his playing time.”

Upon signing with Monaco, Pogba expressed an emotional response, as the club has been experiencing a disappointing season, currently sitting in ninth place in Ligue 1, trailing leaders Lens by 17 points.

Scuro remains optimistic about Pogba’s potential return to competitive play, noting that there are unspecified clauses in his contract that could influence the length of his tenure at the club. “If it does not work, we can certainly sit down in the summer to discuss the next steps,” he added. “However, we are currently focused on finding solutions to support his comeback.”

In 2016, Pogba made headlines as the most expensive soccer player in history when he returned to Manchester United from Juventus for €105 million (approximately $116 million at the time).

As a World Cup champion, Pogba has earned 91 caps for France, scoring 11 goals. Known for his exceptional technique, physical presence, and versatility in midfield, he was once regarded as one of Europe’s elite midfielders.

His last appearance for France occurred nearly four years ago in a friendly against South Africa, and a persistent knee injury has prevented him from participating in the 2022 World Cup.

Pogba was a crucial player in France’s triumph at the 2018 World Cup, notably scoring in the final match against Croatia.

He has expressed a desire to regain his form in hopes of being selected for this year’s World Cup in North America, although this now seems increasingly unlikely.

A major setback in Pogba’s career occurred in February 2024 when he received a four-year ban from Italy’s anti-doping court after testing positive for testosterone while at Juventus. This ban was later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport in October 2024.