Paul Pogba, the French midfielder for Monaco, during the Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain at Stade Louis-II in the Principality of Monaco, November 29, 2025. VALERY HACHE / AFP
On July 3, 2025, Paul Pogba's eyes sparkled. After three seasons lost to injury, a doping suspension and a bizarre criminal case in which he was the victim, the new AS Monaco player fantasized about a return to competition against his boyhood club, Le Havre, on the opening day of the French football championship in mid-August.
"That would be a beautiful story," the 2018 World Cup winner told the press at the time. However, his hopes were quickly quashed by Monaco's CEO Thiago Scuro. "I can guarantee you that he won't be able to play," said Scuro, suggesting that the new signing "was probably joking."
Six months later, the 32-year-old midfielder's dreams have vanished. Pogba continues to suffer physical setbacks, keeping him in the medical room and preventing a full return to the squad. He was unavailable for the trip to Real Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League – a match in which his team was thrashed 6-1 – and the French international will also miss the journey to Le Havre on Saturday, January 24, in Ligue 1.
