When Paul Pogba signed with AS Monaco last summer, the tears were real. The 2018 World Cup winner had just come off an 18-month doping ban, and simply stepping back onto a professional pitch felt like a victory. But nearly a year later, the fairy tale is stalling.
Pogba, now 33, has managed just 115 minutes of action across six appearances for Monaco. One start. Zero goals. Zero assists. After a career that once included Champions League finals and a World Cup trophy, reality has been sobering.
The Long Road Back
In an interview with L’Équipe, Pogba was candid about where he stands. “I didn’t come to Monaco saying, ‘I am coming to play in the World Cup,’” he said. “It has been a long time since I have played for France. My objective was just to return to competition, to be good again physically.”
That modest goal now feels like a mountain. Didier Deschamps’ France side is stacked in midfield, and Pogba knows it. “A return to France and a World Cup? It would be the biggest bonus of all,” he admitted. “First of all, I have to feel good. When you perform well with your club, you have a better chance of playing for France.”
What’s Missing?
When asked directly what he lacks to earn a spot in Deschamps’ final 23-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, Pogba didn’t hesitate: “Rhythm.” He added, “We won’t talk about technique because the coaches and players see that in training. It is more physical, especially when you accumulate little niggles, including before my suspension. I need to feel good. It is what I need to get back to the top level. The France national team is a bonus. It is still my dream to wear this jersey. You have to deserve it.”
The honesty is refreshing but also revealing. Pogba isn’t hiding from the fact that his body hasn’t cooperated. Minor injuries have piled up, and the explosive athleticism that once defined his game has been slow to return.
Monaco Future in Question
With one year left on his contract, speculation about Pogba’s future has already begun. Damien Perrinelle, who left his role as Monaco assistant last month, told reporters that “the idea” was for Pogba to see out his deal with the club. But that’s about as far as any assurance goes. The club has not confirmed whether they plan to extend or move on.
For now, Pogba remains a player searching for a spark. The talent is still visible in flashes — a sharp pass in training, a clever turn in a reserve match — but whether it can translate into meaningful minutes at the top level remains uncertain.
The World Cup is less than two months away. Pogba’s dream of pulling on the blue jersey again is alive, but barely. As he put it: “You have to deserve it.” And right now, the numbers say he hasn’t earned it yet.
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