Paul Pogba could be facing another delay in his bid to make a competitive debut for Monaco, with the World Cup winner still working his way towards full match sharpness. Pogba has been out of action since September 2023, having been stung with a doping ban, and is yet to open a new adventure in Ligue 1 – with no unnecessary risks being taken on his fitness.
No date for debut: Pogba working on fitness
Monaco are delighted to have Pogba on board, as a proven performer at the very highest level, but are reluctant to rush the 32-year-old midfielder into their plans. He has been playing a full part in training, having overcome the odd knock, and is ready to force open the selection door.
No definite date is, however, being put in place for Pogba’s long-awaited bow. It was suggested at one stage that he could figure in a meeting with Angers on October 18, but that game has been and gone – along with more outings in domestic and Champions League competition.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMonaco boss delivers update on Pogba
Monaco boss Sebastien Pocognoli admits that former Manchester United and Juventus star Pogba may still be a matter of weeks away from gracing the field again, which could take him beyond the next international break in November.
Pocognoli said when delivering an update on Pogba: “We need to still push next week. That will be the best thing, so that he can be in the best conditions to make his return. There is great communication between him and the medical staff to allow him to be in the best conditions and as confident as possible.
“I am hoping that this upcoming week will answer our final questions. He is close, but there are still steps, notably doing a whole training session at 100%, which he has yet to do. I think we are still a few weeks away. We’ll see if that is before or after the international break, but in any case, it is great to see him back on the pitch and among his team-mates. It allows me to not only find out about the person off the pitch, but also now on it.”
Pogba patience: World Cup winner biding his time
Pogba is seeing his patience tested, but accepts that he needs to follow a process that will allow him to return in the best possible condition. He is desperate to get going after losing two years of his career.
Pogba has said: “I am a determined person, who wants to come back and who wants to enjoy myself on the pitch again especially, because that is what I miss the most. The objective is therefore to make my return to the highest level while taking the time necessary, and being patient. My daily life during these two years has been that of a very present dad. I would take my kids to school, then I would go to training… then I would pick them up from school.
“So I spent a lot of time with my family and training. Whenever I traveled, I would take my fitness coach with me to stay fit and miss as few sessions as possible. Because I always had this positive thought in mind, that I could return to the field at any time. Of course, there were moments of doubt, but I always wanted to look forward and towards the future. And looking at my kids, I told myself that I wanted them to see me play on the field! I dream of them celebrating one of my goals with a dab! That’s what pushed me to train, to maintain this discipline. Today I am very happy to be at AS Monaco and to return to the job I love.”
Getty/InstagramFeeling at home: Pogba & family settled in Monaco
After signing for Monaco, Pogba suggested that he could force his way back into the France squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. That dream appears to be fading, but anything remains possible.
He is preparing to grace Ligue 1 for the first time in his career and feels settled in new surroundings alongside wife Zulay and their children. Monaco have four more fixtures to take in before the next international break, starting with a trip to Nantes on Wednesday.
