Paul Pogba’s much-anticipated return to competitive football with AS Monaco will take longer than expected after a fresh injury setback.
The French midfielder, who joined the Ligue 1 side earlier this year, missed the team’s recent trip to Angers due to a thigh problem.
Monaco’s former coach Adi Hütter had expressed optimism about Pogba’s return earlier this month.
“I hope he can join the squad and that we can get him to play 15 to 20 minutes,” Hütter said.
However, those plans fell apart as the 2018 World Cup winner failed to recover in time.
The club confirmed that Pogba sustained a muscle strain in his right quadriceps, ruling him out of upcoming fixtures against Angers, Tottenham in the Champions League, and Toulouse in Ligue 1.
General manager Thiago Scuro explained the situation while introducing new coach Sébastien Pocognoli.
“We thought he would be available for the next match, but that’s no longer the case,” Scuro stated. “Paul has a small problem that will cost him at least two more weeks.
This is the first negative episode since we started the process with him. Since he hasn’t been active for a long time, it can happen.
It’s not the end of the world. We simply delayed his return so he’s better prepared.”
Pogba, who has battled a series of injuries over recent seasons, continues to focus on full recovery before rejoining the squad.
The 31-year-old midfielder’s absence comes as a blow to Monaco, who had counted on his experience to strengthen their midfield depth in both domestic and European competitions.
To regain focus and maintain a positive mindset, Pogba traveled to the Gulf region during his recovery.
He spent time in Dubai, where he was spotted with UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov.
The Frenchman later headed to Saudi Arabia, where he met fellow French midfielder N’Golo Kanté.
In a light-hearted video shared on social media, Pogba playfully teased Kanté about his simple fashion choices, showing the strong camaraderie between the two stars.
Despite the frustration surrounding his delayed return, Pogba’s attitude remains upbeat.
His determination to rebuild fitness and return stronger reflects his desire to relaunch his career after a turbulent few years marked by injuries and limited appearances.
Monaco’s medical staff continues to monitor his progress closely, aiming to reintegrate him gradually into full training once he regains match fitness.
The club believes that rushing his comeback could risk further setbacks, so the priority remains his long-term recovery and stability.
For Pogba, the coming weeks will be crucial in regaining physical sharpness and confidence.
Fans hope that once fully fit, he can bring back the creativity and control that defined his earlier years with Juventus and the French national team.
As he continues his rehabilitation, Pogba’s focus stays clear—recover, rebuild, and return stronger to help Monaco’s campaign in Ligue 1 and Europe.
