MONACO — Paul Pogba’s attempt to revive his career at AS Monaco has come to an early end.
The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and Monaco have mutually agreed to part ways after just one season, bringing an injury-disrupted chapter of the French midfielder’s career to a close. Monaco confirmed the decision on Wednesday, August 19, saying the objectives set when Pogba joined the club had not been fully achieved.
Pogba, 33, originally signed a two-year contract through June 2027 after arriving at Monaco as a free agent in June 2025. The move was billed as a major opportunity for the former Manchester United and Juventus star to rebuild his career after a lengthy absence from competitive football.
Instead, his return proved extremely difficult.
Just six appearances in a season
Pogba made only six appearances for Monaco, including just one start, and accumulated approximately 115 minutes of competitive football. His limited involvement was largely caused by a succession of physical setbacks that prevented him from building any real momentum.
His competitive return itself had already been a major moment.
After more than two years away from competitive football, Pogba finally made his Monaco debut in November 2025. UEFA subsequently listed him as part of Monaco’s Champions League squad during the season, although persistent fitness problems severely restricted his involvement.
The latest setback came during Monaco’s preparations for the new season, when Pogba suffered another thigh injury. That setback followed earlier injury problems and added further uncertainty to a comeback that had already struggled to get off the ground.
From World Cup glory to a fight for a second chance
Pogba’s Monaco story is particularly striking because of how far his career had fallen from its peak.
He was one of the central figures in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final as Les Bleus defeated Croatia 4-2 in Moscow. FIFA continues to list him among the members of France’s title-winning squad.
His career subsequently became increasingly complicated by injuries and a doping suspension.
Pogba was provisionally suspended in 2023 after testing positive for a prohibited substance while playing for Juventus. He was initially handed a four-year ban, but the punishment was later reduced to 18 months, allowing him to resume his professional career in 2025.
Monaco offered him the opportunity to restart at the highest level.
The club’s decision to bring him back to Ligue 1 was therefore seen as a potentially significant second chance. But the midfielder was unable to remain consistently fit long enough to reproduce the form that had made him one of Europe’s most prominent midfielders.
Monaco says expectations were not fully met
Monaco’s explanation for the separation was carefully worded.
The club said the two sides had determined that the objectives established when Pogba arrived had been only partially achieved. Rather than allowing the situation to continue into the final year of his contract, both parties agreed to bring the relationship to an end.
Pogba, meanwhile, expressed gratitude toward Monaco, its management, teammates and supporters, describing his time at the club positively despite the limited opportunities he had to play.
The agreement means Pogba is now a free agent once again, leaving him to decide what comes next.
Is this the end of Paul Pogba’s career?
That is the question now hanging over the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder.
Pogba has already demonstrated that he can return from an exceptionally difficult period. But his Monaco spell has shown just how difficult it can be to regain top-level fitness after years of disruption.
His next move will therefore be about much more than choosing another club.
Any potential suitor will have to weigh Pogba’s extraordinary pedigree against his recent lack of playing time and recurring injury problems. The midfielder remains a former World Cup champion with experience at Manchester United and Juventus, but his immediate priority is likely to be proving that his body can withstand the demands of elite football.
For now, the Monaco chapter is closed.
The bigger story, however, may only be beginning: can Paul Pogba find one more club willing to bet on the player he once was — and give him the chance to prove he can still become that player again?
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