What Happened to Paul Labile Pogba?

Paul Labile Pogba's football journey has been marked by immense talent, high-profile transfers, and recent significant challenges. Born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, Pogba began his senior career at Manchester United before making a name for himself at Juventus, where he won four consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2016. His exceptional performances in Italy led to a then-world record transfer fee of €105 million (£89.3 million) for his return to Manchester United in 2016. During his second spell at Old Trafford, he won the League Cup and the Europa League in his first season. A crowning achievement came in 2018 when he played a pivotal role in France's FIFA World Cup victory, even scoring in the final.

However, Pogba's career began to face increasing hurdles, including injuries and inconsistent form, leading to his departure from Manchester United in 2022 and a return to Juventus on a free transfer. His second stint with the Italian club was severely hampered by injuries, limiting him to just eight Serie A appearances. The most significant turning point occurred in September 2023 when he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance, after a Serie A match. This led to a provisional suspension and, in February 2024, a four-year doping ban by Italy's anti-doping court. Pogba vehemently denied intentionally taking any banned substance, stating it was due to a supplement prescribed by a doctor.

In October 2024, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) reduced his ban to 18 months, acknowledging a lack of intent. This reduction made him eligible to return to competitive football in March 2025. Following the ban reduction, Juventus and Pogba mutually agreed to terminate his contract in November 2024, which was originally set to expire in June 2026.

In June 2025, Pogba signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco, marking his return to French Ligue 1 football. His move was seen as an opportunity to restart his career after a prolonged period of inactivity due to injuries and the doping ban. However, his return to the pitch has been challenging. As of June 2026, Pogba has made only six appearances for Monaco, accumulating a mere 115 minutes of playing time due to persistent physical difficulties and recurring knee issues. Despite his struggles, Pogba remains committed to Monaco and has expressed his dream of returning to the French national team, though he acknowledges the need to regain full fitness and consistent form first. He was not included in France's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which he is experiencing as a supporter. His current net worth is estimated at $125 million, largely due to past lucrative contracts and endorsement deals.