Pogba’s Road to Recovery and Future Prospects

In September 2023, Paul Pogba was suspended from football while playing for Juventus after failing a drugs test. In February 2024, the Italian Anti-Doping National Tribunal imposed a four-year ban, which was subsequently reduced to 18 months following an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. By November 2024, Pogba’s contract with Juventus was mutually terminated, and he signed with Monaco the following summer, marking his first opportunity to play domestic football in France.

Nevertheless, Pogba has had a limited impact this season, making only three appearances totaling 30 minutes in Ligue 1. He did not feature in Monaco’s Champions League matches against Pafos and Galatasaray, remaining an unused substitute.

During the early months of the 2025-26 season, Pogba focused on regaining full match fitness after not participating in competitive matches for two years. However, he has faced a series of minor injuries, including issues with his calf, thigh, and ankle, which have resulted in further time away from the pitch.

Recent reports from RMC Sport indicate that Pogba is among three players excluded from Monaco’s Champions League squad for their two-legged play-off against Paris Saint-Germain, alongside former Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu and ex-Liverpool star Takumi Minamino, both of whom are dealing with their own injuries. In their places, Krepin Diatta, Wout Faes, and Simon Adingra have been added to the squad.

When discussing Pogba’s availability in the upcoming weeks, Monaco’s general manager Thiago Scuro stated, “The entire medical department is focused on finding solutions. There’s no clear answer to that question. We still need to develop the process to clarify the situation. As with any injury, the first step will be to get back on the pitch and then continue progressing in training to regain the necessary fitness to play.”

Despite the challenges Pogba has faced in recent years, former player Bacary Sagna believes he still has the potential to represent France again, possibly making it onto Didier Deschamps’ squad for the 2026 World Cup. In an interview with GOAL, Sagna asserted that he does not believe Pogba’s international career is over, praising his unique ability to adapt to the coach’s demands.

Sagna acknowledged the physical challenges posed by Pogba’s long absence from the game but emphasized that Pogba is a special player who can deliver impactful performances. He remarked, “He doesn’t need to run a lot. Mentally and technically, he is ahead of the norm. You never know; there’s always a surprise when it comes to team selections. He could be that surprise for Didier Deschamps.”

Sagna concluded by highlighting the importance of Pogba regaining his playing condition, stating, “He needs to get back into shape. However, I would not rule him out because of the player he is. I played with him and know how valuable he can be to the team.” He drew a parallel with Sergio Busquets, who is known for his intelligence and technical skills rather than constant running, underlining Pogba’s potential to make a significant impact once he returns to full fitness.