Can Monaco-bound Paul Pogba return to the top ahead of 2026 World Cup? – he has ‘anger’ and desire to get ‘even better’

Paul Pogba is set to make his return to football after almost two years out.

Pogba was given a four-year ban after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance that raises levels of testosterone.

His ban was reduced to 18 months on appeal and he has been free to play again since March 2025.

At the start of next season it will be three years since Pogba’s second departure from Manchester United, during which time he has made just 12 senior appearances.

So what has happened to Pogba since leaving Old Trafford and what are his future prospects?

Pogba had some of the best years of his career during his first spell at Juventus from 2012-16, winning four Serie A titles and reaching the UEFA Champions League final in 2015.

When he returned to Manchester United in 2016, he did so on the back of a brilliant individual season and for a world-record transfer fee of £89m.

Four years later when he headed back to Turin he said it was the “right moment to return”.

“This is where I belong,” said Pogba, who was influential as France won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, but saw his form tail off at Old Trafford.

Pogba’s Juventus return could hardly have gone worse. Shortly after signing for the Italian giants, and having played just 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly, Pogba suffered a meniscus injury.

He missed the first half of the season, watching the 2022 World Cup in Qatar from home, and did not make his first appearance until February 28, 2023.

The season ended on another negative note as Pogba made his first start but had to be taken off after just 23 minutes due to an injury.

The 2023/24 season did not provide a fresh start for Pogba.

Just a few weeks into the campaign it was revealed that he had been provisionally suspended after testing positive for a banned substance following Juventus’ 3-0 win over Udinese on the opening day.

In March 2024, Pogba was given a four-year ban by Italy’s national anti-doping tribunal (Nado).

Later that year Pogba had the ban reduced to 18 months following a successful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Given the initial length of his ban, which would have prevented him from playing until 2027, Pogba admitted that he had considered retiring from football.

But he decided against it and is now driven to be “even better” on his return.

“That’s definitely for sure. And in the positive way, like I said, with more hunger, with more determination.

“I feel like a kid that just wants to be professional again, that never signed professional. So this is the anger I have. That’s what drives me. And I will do everything to come back at the level I was before and even better. Why not?”

But the big question was where Pogba would restart his career.

His Juventus contract had been terminated by mutual consent and there was speculation he would play in MLS.

But his decision to sign for Monaco represents a return at a high level.

Monaco came third in Ligue 1 last season and will be playing in the UEFA Champions League next season, meaning Pogba’s performances will be closely followed.

The last time Pogba played a competitive international game he was lifting silverware as France beat Spain to win the 2021 Nations League.

A return to the international fold will depend first and foremost on his performances for Monaco and whether he can avoid the injuries that plagued his time at Juventus.

His chances might be helped by his positive relationship with France head coach Didier Deschamps, who is stepping down from the role after the 2026 World Cup.

“And this is really rare and that’s why I’m very grateful and appreciate the relationship that I have with him.”

Deschamps has not ruled out a return for Pogba to the international team.

“Yes, he has the ability and the mentality to return to the highest level,” Deschamps said about Pogba in March.

“It won’t happen overnight, but for the moment, he hasn’t made a decision. We’ll see.”