When Paul Pogba was handed a four-year doping ban in February 2024, the footballing world wondered not just if we would see the Frenchman return—but when. That uncertainty was lifted in October when his suspension was reduced to 18 months on appeal. With the “if” out of the equation, the focus quickly shifted to “where.”

In late June, we got our answer. In the tranquil setting of La Turbie, nestled in the hills above the Côte d’Azur, Pogba signed a two-year contract with AS Monaco, putting pen to paper and emotion on full display.

Having not played since September 2023, Pogba became a free agent following his Juventus contract termination, which made him an attractive prospect despite question marks around his fitness. There was reported interest from clubs in the United States, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and his native France.

One such suitor was Marseille, but they ultimately pulled out.

"We thought about signing Pogba. We wanted to do it," admitted Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia in February. "The problem is, if we want to bring in a Pogba who is not yet fit, does it make sense to alter the balance?"

Monaco, however, decided to take the plunge. His free-agent status undoubtedly helped, but as club CEO Thiago Scuro noted, “free agents have salaries too.” In a financially fragile Ligue 1, opportunities like this are rare—and tempting.

Despite being born in France and rising through the ranks at Le Havre, Pogba had never played top-flight domestic football in the country—until now. His signing at Monaco is a homecoming of sorts, but more symbolically, it marks a strategic pivot for the club.

Monaco have long championed youth development, with talents like Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir, and Soungoutou Magassa emerging from their academy. Their recruitment strategy has mirrored this philosophy, with last summer’s big buys—George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa, and Lamine Camara—all under 20 years old.

But that youth-first approach required tweaking.

"In the summer, with the goals we had, we were becoming too young," said Scuro. "The next step is getting performance players on board. That is the challenge."

Monaco even tried to sign Jordan Henderson from Ajax in January, but the move collapsed. Moatasem Al-Musrati arrived on loan instead, though the club declined to make it permanent.

Pogba’s recruitment came later. In May, he visited the club’s facilities, meeting manager Adi Hütter and club president Dmitry Rybolovlev. Around the same time, Eric Dier also arrived on a free transfer, giving the squad a much-needed injection of experience.

"We want to keep our youth-centric strategy, balance it a little but not step away from it," added Scuro.

Though Pogba travelled with Monaco’s squad during their pre-season tour of England, he did not feature on the pitch. His impact, however, has already been felt.

Monaco see the World Cup winner as a leader, someone whose experience can guide a young, talented squad. His integration has been smooth, quickly becoming a bridge between the older heads and younger players in the dressing room.

And while the club doesn’t expect him to shoulder responsibility on the pitch immediately, they see him as a potential game-changer later in the season.

Before his arrival, Monaco arguably boasted the second-best midfield in Ligue 1—behind only Paris Saint-Germain. That depth means Pogba is not a necessity but a potential bonus if he returns to form.

His return is targeted for October.

"I can guarantee he won't be on the pitch against Le Havre. We are here to be realistic," said Scuro in June. "We expect a three-month process."

Should that timeline hold, Pogba could make his competitive return in early autumn, ending over two years without professional football.

Pogba was visibly emotional during his presentation, tears flowing as he reflected on his journey.

"It is very rare to see me cry like that, so I hope you enjoyed it," he told reporters. "We know the doping story, my injury… everything came back to me during the signing and I just couldn't hold it back. It was a moment of joy."

Those tears were years in the making. Pogba’s off-field life has been turbulent. In 2022, he was kidnapped by masked men demanding €13 million. His own brother, Mathias Pogba, was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison—two suspended—as part of the extortion case.

Then came the doping ban and ongoing injury concerns, including revelations that he consulted a witch doctor in an attempt to resolve his physical problems. Those comments came after his brother accused him of cursing Kylian Mbappé, a claim Pogba was forced to address.

"It is all linked. If the mind is good, it will go well on the pitch," he said, hinting that his struggles extended beyond the physical.

Despite the setbacks, Pogba remains hungry. During his ban, he leaned on close contacts to stay focused.

"I spoke with multiple people who helped me to see things in the present, to not think about the past or the future," he said. Now, with his eyes on the future, he has fresh motivation.

"I wanted my kids to see me on the pitch - my dream is to see my kids celebrate one of my goals with a dab," he joked.

But behind the humour lies a serious ambition: a return to the France national team. Pogba has earned 91 caps under Didier Deschamps, playing a key role in their 2018 World Cup win. With the next World Cup set for summer 2026—Deschamps’ last tournament—Pogba hopes to make the squad once more.

Being based in Monaco won’t hurt his chances; Deschamps lives just a stone’s throw away from the club’s performance centre.

After a long, painful spell in the football wilderness, Paul Pogba is back—on French soil, with fresh purpose, and in a club willing to support his comeback.

There are no guarantees. His injury history is lengthy, his fitness still a work in progress, and Ligue 1 more competitive than ever.

But if Pogba can rediscover even a glimpse of his old magic, Monaco may have pulled off one of the most intriguing signings in recent memory—one that could define both the player’s legacy and the club’s season.

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