Paul Pogba’s much-anticipated return to football has hit an early stumbling block, with AS Monaco confirming the French midfielder will not be fit to start the Ligue 1 season.
The 32-year-old signed a two-year deal with the club in a bid to revive his career after an 18-month suspension for doping violations.
Pogba had expressed hopes of featuring in Monaco’s opening league match against Le Havre on 16 or 17 August—a sentimental fixture given it’s the club where he began his career.
I hope to be there. It would be a great story. But for now, I don’t have a return date. My body and my mental state will decide, he said during his unveiling.
However, Monaco’s general director Thiago Scuro moved quickly to quash any expectation of a swift return.
I can assure you that he won’t be ready for Le Havre. He must have been joking. After such a long absence, it will take him several months to return to competition. At least three months to reach his best physical level, Scuro clarified.
The announcement comes as a blow to both Pogba and Monaco supporters, who were eager to see the World Cup winner back in action.
Scuro stressed the physical demands at Monaco are high and that the club is committed to a careful reintegration process.
Pogba is now targeting a return in October, meaning he will likely miss a string of early-season fixtures, including the highly anticipated clash with Lille.
That matchup was set to pit him against former international teammate Olivier Giroud, who recently completed a move to the northern club.
Giroud had welcomed the idea of rekindling their rivalry in Ligue 1, saying, I think the French are happy to see us back in Ligue 1. But fans may now have to wait until May 2026, when Monaco host Lille on matchday 33, for that reunion to materialise.
Until then, Pogba faces a demanding training schedule to regain fitness, while Monaco will have to navigate the start of the season without their marquee summer signing.
Despite the setback, the club remains hopeful the veteran midfielder will make a meaningful impact once he returns to full strength.
