Paul Pogba Faces Monaco Exit After Another Injury, Reports Say

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Paul Pogba is expected to leave AS Monaco after the French club began talks over terminating his contract early, potentially leaving the former France international without a club again.

The 2018 World Cup winner joined Monaco as a free agent last summer on a two-year contract that was due to run until June 2027. However, his return to regular football has been disrupted by injuries, and a new muscular problem in preseason has reportedly prompted the club to consider ending his spell.

According to BBC Sport, discussions over an early termination are under way and are expected to be concluded soon. Monaco have not commented on the situation.

French media outlets, including L'Equipe, Le Parisien and Nice-Matin, have also reported that Pogba suffered another muscular injury during preseason.

Pogba Made Just Six Competitive Appearances for Monaco

Pogba's first season at Monaco was severely disrupted by injury. As reported by Football Italia, the 33-year-old made only six competitive appearances for the club, totaling 115 minutes.

He played just one preseason friendly this summer, featuring for 45 minutes against Inter Milan on July 18.

There had initially been hopes that Pogba would be able to play a more regular role this season after returning to professional football following his doping suspension. However, Monaco's change in management, with Filipe Luis replacing Sebastien Pocognoli, could also lead the club to pursue a different approach in central midfield.

The latest injury has raised questions about whether Pogba will continue his playing career or consider retirement.

Pogba's Doping Suspension and Return

Pogba's career was derailed in 2023 after he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance, following a doping test in August that year.

He was initially handed a four-year suspension in February 2024. Pogba maintained that he had inadvertently consumed the banned substance through a supplement and had not knowingly violated anti-doping rules.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport subsequently reduced his suspension to 18 months, allowing him to return to professional football in March 2025.

Pogba had already left Juventus by then, terminating his contract with the Italian club by mutual consent in December 2024.

A Dramatic Fall for the Former World Cup Winner

Pogba's latest setback comes after a prolonged decline from the heights of his career.

The midfielder became the world's most expensive footballer in 2016 when Manchester United re-signed him from Juventus for a reported €105 million.

He had initially established himself as one of Europe's leading midfielders during his first spell at Juventus, making 190 appearances, scoring 34 goals and providing 40 assists, according to Football Italia.

Pogba returned to Juventus as a free agent in 2022, but his second spell was disrupted by injuries before the doping suspension effectively ended his time in Turin.

He subsequently joined Monaco hoping to rebuild his career, but another injury could now leave the 2018 World Cup winner searching for a new club — or facing a decision over whether to continue playing altogether.

Read: Paul Pogba Enjoying Attacking Role and Freedom Under Solskjaer

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News