Although trained in Le Havre, Paul Pogba has never set foot in Ligue 1. After having made all his career in Serie A and in the Premier League, the tricolor midfielder is however on the verge of discovering the French championship. Announced with insistence on the side of AS Monaco, the 2018 world champion wants to relaunch his career and above all participate in the 2026 World Cup. A mission that some qualify as impossible.
Because Paul Pogba has not played for ages. His latest official match dates back to September 3, 2023. More than 660 days away from the field, the fault of a positive testosterone control and a four-year suspension finally reduced to eighteen months. Added to that a history makes multiple injuries, not enough to reassure with regard to the goal that the player has set for himself.
A columnist for the team channel, Claude Leroy said he was very pessimistic about a return of “the draw” in the French team and a participation in the World Cup organized in a year by the United States, Mexico and Canada. “It doesn't seem possible to me. (…) It is still necessary to have a full season in Ligue 1, which seems very difficult and very complicated. There are players who have disappeared from traffic for a few months on a serious injury but who, when they are injured, were at the top of their form. He disappeared very far. »»
Pogba, a last full season in 2020-2021
Not a good sign according to the winner of the 1988 African Cup of Nations as a coach of Cameroon. And the figures are rather right because Paul Pogba, for example, has not been in full season since 2020-2021 with Manchester United. But AS Monaco therefore chose to bet on the tricolor midfielder. And Claude Leroy to conclude: “We loved Paul Pogba, a huge player who has a particular dimension in the French team. We all want to see it, but it doesn't seem possible to me. »»
It remains to be seen if Paul Pogba will find the level sufficient to allow him to reintegrate the Blues. In any case, he will be able to follow the Monegasque preparation in its entirety and then continue with the competition. ASM is qualified for the Champions League. So many opportunities for the midfielder to resume his marks to perhaps gain power and arrive in great shape for the 2026 World Cup. Or not.