Paul Pogba stays around Monaco after contract exit, not ready to call it a day | OneFootball

After ending his Monaco contract last month, Paul Pogba has remained near the Principality to rebuild following a thigh injury. According to L'Équipe, the 33-year-old has not resigned himself to retirement.

Still closely following the France team, with which he retains a special bond, he will no doubt take an interest in Zinedine Zidane’s first squad, due on Friday at 18:00. His last appearance for Les Bleus came in March 2022, and fewer of his former team-mates from that period are still in contention.

Pogba has effectively parked thoughts of a recall after the collapse of the ambitious target he set on signing for Monaco in June 2025, a tilt at the 2026 World Cup. Plagued by repeat injuries last season, he has not given up on his club career despite his curtailed spell on the Rock.

He suffered a left thigh injury on 11 August during pre-season in England, and has been out of contract since the 19th. Aware ASM support had waned, he focused on a return to fitness while eyeing a new project abroad. There had been MLS and Saudi Arabia interest before he had to dedicate at least six weeks to recovering from the muscle injury.

He has continued to use Monaco’s performance centre, sometimes dropping in to work in the gym or run on outside pitches, though not alongside former team-mates. He is permitted to visit La Turbie with no expiry on the arrangement, but it brings no special privileges, and elite athletes do at times request access to ASM facilities.

Remaining in the area, where his children are still at school, Pogba is quietly planning the next step in his career. He hopes to take on at least one final challenge before retiring.

Source: L'Équipe

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”