Questions were swirling around 2024 when Paul Pogba was sentenced to a four-year doping ban in February (February) and a month in October (October).18 "Whether" we would see him again, before it turned into "when", then "where", after the sentence was reduced to

At the end of last June (June), Pogba signed with teary eyes a two-year contract with Monaco, thus writing the first line in his new 2023 chapter of his career, after an absence from the field since September (September)
A year, only 32, according to the BBC, and although the emirate club was not the only one interested in the services of the old French star, it was the first to officially move after the end of his sentence in March (March), outperforming offers from America, Japan and other French clubs such as Marseille, whose sporting director Mehdi Benatia expressed his previous desire to include Pogba, but he backed down for reasons related to the player's fitness and its impact on the team's balance.

It is noteworthy that Pogba joined without financial compensation after terminating his contract with Juventus, a point that played a major role in Monaco's decision. However, club CEO Thiago Scuro noted that "free players are also paid.
In light of the financial crisis ravaging French football, such opportunities seem like a "rare catch", especially when it comes to a player the size of Pogba.
Monaco's signing of Pogba was not only an exploitation of a market opportunity, but a reflection of a clear strategic shift. The club, which has always relied on young talents and graduating stars, has begun to feel that its squad has become "too young".
Last summer, Monaco signed youngsters such as Georges Eleniquena, Christian Moisa and Lamine Camara (all under the age of 20), while veterans Sam Ben Yedder and Guillermo Marceban left.

In January (January), Scuro acknowledged the need to «add players with performance and experience», a step that began with the arrival of Libyan Moatasem Al-Misrati, and now Pogba, along with Englishman Eric Dier from Bayern Munich.So far, Pogba has not appeared in any match since his arrival, but he was present at the team's preparatory camp in England, where he showed «innate leadership» and a positive influence on young and veteran players alike.Although Monaco's midfield is considered one of the best in the French league after Paris Saint-Germain, Pogba is seen as a «qualitative addition» rather than an indispensable element. The club does not intend to rush his return, especially since his physical fitness has not yet reached the required level.Pogba had expressed his desire to play against his first club, Le Havre, at the opening of the season, but Scuro removed the doubt with certainty, saying: «He will not be ready for that. We are realistic and expect him to return in October (October)».

At his presentation conference, Pogba appeared crying and said: «It's rare for me to cry like this. It was a moment of joy that conjured up everything: steroids, injuries... All the pictures suddenly came back to my mind». He explained that one of the strong motives for his return was his desire to see his children celebrate him: «My dream is for my children to watch me score a goal and perform the famous «Dab» dance».Pogba is considered one of the key elements in France winning the 2018 World Cup, and he does not hide his ambition to return to represent «the Roosters» in the 2026 World Cup, especially since France coach Didier Deschamps resides near Monaco's performance center, and the next World Cup may be his last at the head of the technical staff.Away from the field, Pogba lived through turbulent years: repeated injuries, blackmail cases, and even accusations from his brother of using «magic» against Mbappe, allegations linked to a serious kidnapping and blackmail case, in which his brother was given a suspended prison sentence.Pogba says that these crises affected his level: «Everything is connected to each other. When the mind is in place, performance on the field improves».

Monaco's bet on Pogba is a calculated adventure, carrying physical risks, but based on the potential of a global star seeking to emerge from the ashes. He's not the deal the lineup is built around, but he could be the element that makes the difference at the crucial moment... If the Pogba we once knew returns.