Paul Pogba has described his early days at AS Monaco as humbling and emotional, likening his return to professional football to that of a youth player experiencing top-flight training for the first time.
The French international signed with the Ligue 1 club on Saturday after a difficult 18-month absence from the game, marking a fresh chapter in his career.
Born in France to Guinean parents, Pogba’s footballing journey has been defined by both brilliance and turbulence.
His move to Monaco comes on the back of an 18-month doping suspension and the aftermath of a high-profile blackmail plot. Now cleared to play, Pogba is eager to rebuild on home soil.
In his first interview with the club, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder said the feeling of being back on the pitch stirred emotions he hadn’t felt in years.
“Despite the experience, until I put on the jersey, the shorts… my hands are really sweaty! It’s a positive stress,” he said.
“It’s as if you had signed as a hopeful, you leave your family to go to the training centre. That’s a bit what I felt.”
Pogba also paid tribute to Monaco’s rich history of nurturing talent, referencing several legendary figures who passed through the club.
“There has always been talent here,” he said, naming the likes of Thierry Henry, Yaya Touré, David Trezeguet, Bernardo Silva, and Didier Deschamps among others.
His arrival signals both a personal comeback and a bold new step for Monaco, who will be hoping the 2018 World Cup winner can recapture his best form.
