Paul Pogba Joins Monaco After Emotional Return from Doping Suspension
French international midfielder, Paul Pogba, has signed a two-year contract with Monaco, marking his comeback to competitive football following a doping suspension.
The 32-year-old footballer, who previously played for top clubs like Manchester United and Juventus, faced a temporary suspension after failing a random drug test post Juventus’ match against Udinese at the start of the 2023-24 season.
This led to a four-year ban initially, which was later reduced to 18 months after Pogba appealed the decision in October.
Expressing his gratitude upon signing with Monaco, Pogba said, “Thanks for the trust,” in a heartfelt moment that captured his emotions at returning to the pitch.
Pogba terminated his contract with Juventus in November and has been able to restart his career as a free agent since March.
This move to Monaco will mark the first time the World Cup-winning midfielder will compete in Ligue 1 during his career.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Pogba unintentionally ingested dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a prohibited substance by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), leading to his suspension.
Having started his career at Manchester United and later moving to Juventus, Pogba enjoyed success with multiple Serie A titles and domestic cups.
His return to Manchester United in 2016 for a record fee saw him lift the Europa League and FA Cup in his debut season.
With 91 appearances for the French national team, Pogba played a crucial role in their 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final against Croatia.
Despite facing injuries and inconsistent form in recent years, Pogba is determined to make a strong comeback with Monaco and showcase his talent once again on the football pitch.
