Paul Pogba’s attempt to rebuild his career has suffered another major setback after the French midfielder and AS Monaco agreed to terminate his contract by mutual consent.
The 33-year-old joined Monaco in 2025 after serving an 18-month doping suspension, hoping the move would give him the fresh start needed to return to the level that once made him one of Europe’s most celebrated midfielders.
Instead, injuries turned the comeback into another frustrating chapter. Pogba made just six appearances for Monaco, totalling 115 minutes, and never managed to establish himself as a regular first-team player. His contract was originally due to run until June 2027.
The bigger story is therefore not simply that Pogba has left Monaco. It is that another opportunity to revive his career has disappeared before he could properly take it.
Monaco Was Supposed to Be Pogba’s Fresh Start
When Pogba arrived at Monaco, the move carried plenty of emotion. He had been away from competitive football for more than two years because of his doping suspension and was looking for somewhere he could rebuild his fitness and confidence.
Monaco were willing to take the risk. A year later, that gamble has not produced the return either side expected.
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro acknowledged that the original project had not worked as planned, although he praised Pogba’s professionalism and his influence on younger players.
That is an important part of the story. Pogba may not have contributed much on the pitch, but Monaco clearly felt that his experience still had value inside the dressing room.
Six Appearances Tell the Real Story
For a player of Pogba’s quality, six appearances in an entire season is a painful statistic. He was not brought to Monaco simply to mentor young players. The expectation was that, once physically ready, he would become an important part of the team.
Instead, recurring physical problems repeatedly interrupted his progress. His latest injury, a thigh problem suffered during pre-season, added to the concerns surrounding his ability to maintain regular fitness. Monaco had already been questioning whether the original project could work before the latest setback.
This is why his departure feels less like a sudden decision and more like the end of a comeback that never really got started.
What Happens to Pogba Now?
Pogba is once again a free agent. That gives him one advantage: he can choose his next club without a transfer fee being involved. But his options will depend heavily on whether potential suitors believe he can stay fit.
He has played only 18 matches since leaving Manchester United in 2022, including 12 for Juventus before his suspension and six for Monaco.
That record will make clubs cautious. The question is no longer whether Pogba still has the talent. Few people doubt that. The question is whether his body can allow him to use it consistently.
The Pogba Story Is Not Over Yet
It would be easy to look at the Monaco exit and assume Pogba’s career is finished. But that may be premature. He is still only 33 and remains a World Cup winner with years of experience at Juventus, Manchester United and the French national team.
What he needs now is not necessarily the biggest club or the biggest contract. He needs a realistic environment where he can finally stay healthy and play football regularly.
Monaco gave Pogba an opportunity to restart his career. Unfortunately, injuries meant that opportunity produced only six appearances.
Now he gets another chance. Whether this is the beginning of one final comeback or the closing chapter of Pogba’s career may depend on what happens next.
