French World Cup winner Paul Pogba returned to professional football on Saturday, signing a two-year contract with AS Monaco and marking the end of an 18-month suspension for doping. The emotional moment saw the 32-year-old midfielder fight back tears as he put pen to paper, visibly moved by his long-awaited comeback.
Pogba, who last played a competitive match in September 2023, had endured a turbulent spell marred by injuries, suspension, and an extortion case in which he was the victim. Over the past three seasons, he made just 12 appearances.
Cameras captured the poignant scene as Pogba bowed his head during the signing ceremony, with Monaco sporting director Thiago Scuro and his representatives offering support. The footage quickly spread online, symbolising the personal weight of his return.
“Thanks for the trust,” Pogba said quietly during the ceremony.
— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) June 28, 2025
Initially handed a four-year ban after testing positive for DHEA—a substance that can increase testosterone—Pogba succeeded in having the suspension reduced to 18 months on appeal. He failed the drugs test in August 2023 following a match for Juventus, who later terminated his contract in November, leaving him without a club.
Now, with a fresh start in Ligue 1—a league he had never played in professionally—Pogba aims to rebuild his career at Monaco, who will compete in the Champions League next season.
Pogba began his youth career at Le Havre before joining Manchester United in 2009. After limited first-team opportunities, he moved to Juventus in 2012, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles. He then returned to United in 2016 for a then-world record transfer fee of €105 million (£89 million).
Injuries plagued his second stint at Juventus, which began three years ago. Compounding his troubles, in 2024, his brother Mathias received a three-year sentence—two of which were suspended—for his involvement in an attempt to extort €13 million from Pogba in 2022.
Internationally, Pogba has earned 91 caps and scored 11 goals for France. He played a pivotal role in their 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final against Croatia.