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The 32-year-old Pogba, who won the 2018 World Cup, has been absent since March 2022 due to injuries and a doping ban,
Paul Pogba with AS Monaco (X)
Paul Pogba expressed hope for a return to the French national team during his unveiling at AS Monaco on Thursday, calling it “a dream and a bonus” as he begins a new chapter in his career.
The 32-year-old midfielder, who has earned 91 caps and won the 2018 World Cup with France, has not featured for Les Bleus since March 2022. His absence was due to a string of injuries and an 18-month doping ban, which concluded four months ago.
“It’s every French footballer’s dream to represent the national team, but it’s a process,” Pogba said.
“Right now, I’m at stage one: coming back and playing well. There are places to earn, and you have to fight for them because it’s a very, very good group—an excellent team,” he added.
During Pogba’s time away, France reached the 2022 World Cup final, only to fall to Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout. They also made it to the semi-finals of Euro 2024, losing 2-1 to eventual champions Spain.
Fresh Start in Ligue 1
Pogba signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 side Monaco last Saturday, marking his first time playing club football in France at the senior level. The move is seen as a bid to revive his career after several difficult seasons.
The former Manchester United and Juventus star has managed just 12 appearances across the last three campaigns due to injuries, suspension, and involvement in an extortion case in which he was the victim.
Pogba tested positive for a banned substance in August 2023 following a Juventus match. Though he was cleared to return to football in March 2024, his contract with the Italian club had already been terminated.
In addition to his injury woes and doping suspension, Pogba was at the center of a high-profile extortion case. His brother, Mathias Pogba, was sentenced earlier this year to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in attempting to extort €13 million ($15.3 million) from the footballer in 2022.
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term…Read More
After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term… Read More
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