On June 28, 2025, Paul Pogba marked a poignant chapter in his storied football career, signing a two-year contract with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. The moment, captured in a viral video, saw the 32-year-old French midfielder overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears as he put pen to paper, signaling his return to competitive football after a challenging two-year hiatus.
The signing represents not just a new beginning for Pogba but a testament to his resilience following a tumultuous period marked by a doping ban, injuries, and personal struggles.
Paul Pogba’s Difficult Journey Back to the Pitch
Pogba’s journey to this moment has been anything but straightforward. In August 2023, while with Juventus, Pogba tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance that boosts testosterone. Initially slapped with a four-year suspension by the Italian anti-doping tribunal in February 2024, Pogba faced the possibility of his career being cut short. The ban was later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in October 2024, with the ruling acknowledging that Pogba had inadvertently taken the substance, which was noted to have an effect primarily on females.
The reduced ban allowed Pogba to return to football in March 2025, but by then, his contract with Juventus had been mutually terminated in November 2024, leaving him a free agent. The midfielder, who last played competitively on September 2, 2023, against Empoli, had endured a grueling period of uncertainty, injuries, and personal challenges, including an extortion case involving his brother, Mathias Pogba, who was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in the ordeal.
Pogba himself admitted to ESPN in October 2024 that he had contemplated retirement during the darkest moments of his ban, stating, “I had many thoughts in my head, I had so many thoughts to even stop playing.” Yet, his determination to reclaim his legacy and return to the sport he loves shone through, culminating in his emotional signing with Monaco.
The Emotional Signing Moment
The signing ceremony, documented by AS Monaco and shared widely across social media, captured Pogba’s raw emotion. In a video posted by the club, Pogba was seen with his head in his hands, wiping away tears as he signed the contract that ties him to the Principality until June 30, 2027. Supported by friends during the moment, Pogba managed to express his gratitude, saying, “Thank you for the trust,” his voice thick with emotion.
Why Monaco? A Platform for Redemption
Pogba’s decision to join Monaco, a club that finished third in Ligue 1 last season and secured Champions League qualification, was strategic. Despite interest from clubs in the MLS and Saudi Pro League, Pogba opted for Monaco to compete in one of Europe’s top five leagues, aligning with his ambition to revive his career and potentially earn a recall to the French national team for the 2026 World Cup.
Monaco offers Pogba a platform to showcase his undeniable talent. A 2018 World Cup winner and a standout midfielder during his first stint at Juventus, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles, Pogba has 423 senior appearances across Juventus and Manchester United, with 73 goals and 90 assists. His 91 caps for France, including a goal in the 2018 World Cup final, cement his status as one of the game’s elite midfielders when at his peak.
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A New Chapter in France
Interestingly, this move marks Pogba’s first time playing senior domestic football in his homeland, despite coming through the youth academy at Le Havre. His career has taken him from Manchester United to Juventus and back, but Ligue 1 represents uncharted territory.
Joining a Monaco side that includes former Tottenham and Bayern Munich defender Eric Dier and potentially Barcelona’s Ansu Fati, Pogba is poised to contribute to a team aiming to challenge Paris Saint-Germain and Marseille at the top of Ligue 1.In his announcement video, Pogba declared “La renaissance,” signaling his intent to resurrect his career. The emotional weight of his signing reflects not just a professional milestone but a personal triumph over adversity.
A Moment of Human Triumph in France
Paul Pogba’s tearful signing with AS Monaco is more than a transfer; it’s a moment of human triumph. After enduring a doping ban, injuries, and personal betrayals, Pogba’s emotional display reflects the weight of his journey and the hope of a new beginning. As he steps onto the pitch for Monaco, fans worldwide will be watching, rooting for the midfielder to rediscover the magic that made him a global star. For Pogba, this is not just a contract—it’s a chance to rewrite his legacy