Paul Pogba’s football career has once again entered an uncertain phase, with fresh questions emerging about his future at AS Monaco.
Once regarded as one of the finest midfielders in world football, the former Manchester United and Juventus star has endured several difficult years marked by injuries, setbacks, and off-field challenges.
Despite earning another opportunity to revive his career in France, there are now suggestions that his long-term future at Monaco is far from guaranteed.
Pogba’s journey in professional football has been anything but straightforward. The French international first came through Manchester United’s famous academy, where he was widely regarded as one of the club’s brightest young talents.
However, opportunities with the senior team were limited during his first spell at Old Trafford, and after making only seven first-team appearances, he chose to leave the club in 2012 in search of regular football.
That decision proved to be a turning point in his career. After joining Juventus, Pogba quickly developed into one of Europe’s most influential midfielders.
His performances in Italy showcased his exceptional passing ability, technical quality, physical strength, and eye for spectacular goals.
During his time in Turin, he won multiple domestic trophies and established himself as one of the best midfielders of his generation, attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in world football.
His impressive displays eventually persuaded Manchester United to bring him back to Old Trafford in 2016 for what was then a world-record transfer fee.
Expectations surrounding his return were enormous, with supporters hoping he would become the player capable of leading the club back to the top of English and European football.
Although Pogba produced memorable moments during his second spell at United, including impressive goals and dominant midfield performances, inconsistency, injuries, and constant speculation about his future prevented him from fully meeting the expectations placed upon him. After spending six years at the club, he departed once again in 2022, returning to Juventus as a free agent.
Unfortunately, his second spell in Italy proved even more difficult. Pogba was handed a lengthy suspension after failing a drugs test, a decision that initially resulted in a four-year ban from football.
However, following an appeal, the punishment was reduced to 18 months, giving the French midfielder an opportunity to resume his professional career earlier than originally expected.
Following the completion of his suspension, Pogba secured a move to AS Monaco in an attempt to rebuild both his fitness and reputation.
The Ligue 1 side offered him a two-year contract, believing his experience and quality could strengthen the squad if he managed to regain full fitness.
However, his return to competitive football has not gone according to plan. Injury problems and ongoing fitness concerns have continued to disrupt his progress, limiting his involvement throughout the season.
He managed to make only six appearances for Monaco and accumulated just 115 minutes of playing time across the entire campaign.
Those limited opportunities have naturally raised concerns about whether he can still perform consistently at the highest level.
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro recently addressed the situation and admitted that Pogba’s future remains uncertain.
While expressing admiration for the player’s professionalism and positive attitude since arriving at the club, Scuro acknowledged that the project had not unfolded as expected.
According to the Monaco executive, the club had anticipated a very different outcome when Pogba was signed, but circumstances throughout the season prevented the midfielder from making the impact everyone had hoped for.
Despite the disappointment, Scuro emphasised that the club intends to remain fair and patient while closely monitoring Pogba’s physical and technical development during pre-season.
The CEO explained that the coaching staff will evaluate Pogba’s condition on a weekly basis before making any final decisions regarding his role in the squad.
Ultimately, new manager Filipe Luis will determine whether the midfielder fits into his plans for the upcoming campaign.
Scuro also revealed that open communication has always existed between Pogba and the club. He suggested that if the expectations of both parties no longer align, discussions will take place to find the most suitable solution.
That could potentially result in Pogba leaving Monaco before completing the second year of his contract if both sides agree that it is the best outcome.
For now, Monaco intend to use the remainder of pre-season to assess the Frenchman’s progress. His performances in training and any opportunities he receives in friendly matches are expected to play a significant role in determining whether he remains with the club or begins searching for another opportunity elsewhere.
Monaco are scheduled to begin their pre-season preparations with a friendly match against AS Saint-Priest in just over a week, and that fixture could provide Pogba with an important chance to demonstrate that he is capable of overcoming the challenges that have interrupted his career.
Whether he ultimately stays in France or moves on once again, the coming weeks are likely to shape the next chapter in the remarkable but turbulent career of one of football’s most talented midfielders.
