When AS Monaco announced the signing of Paul Pogba on a two-year deal in June 2025, football fans worldwide were buzzing with excitement. The 32-year-old French midfielder, a 2018 World Cup winner and former star at Manchester United and Juventus, was expected to bring his flair, experience, and leadership to Ligue 1. However, months after his emotional contract signing, Pogba has yet to step onto the pitch for a competitive match with Monaco. This absence has sparked curiosity and speculation among fans and analysts alike. So, why hasn’t Paul Pogba played a single game for Monaco since joining the club? This article dives into the reasons, exploring his physical condition, Monaco’s strategic approach, and other contributing factors.
The Context: Pogba’s Long Hiatus from Competitive Football
To understand Pogba’s absence, we must first consider his recent history. Pogba’s last competitive match was on September 2, 2023, for Juventus against Empoli in Serie A. Shortly after, he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels, leading to a four-year doping ban. This ban was reduced to 18 months following an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing him to return to competitive football in March 2025. However, his contract with Juventus was mutually terminated in November 2024, leaving him as a free agent until Monaco signed him in June 2025.
This extended period away from the game nearly two years has significantly impacted Pogba’s physical readiness. Additionally, his career has been plagued by injuries in recent years, including knee surgery and muscle strains during his second stint at Juventus, where he played just 161 minutes in the 2022-23 season. These factors set the stage for Monaco’s cautious approach to his reintegration.
Reason 1: Physical Fitness and a Rigorous Reathleticization Program
The primary reason for Pogba’s delayed debut is his lack of match fitness. After nearly two years without competitive football, coupled with a history of injuries, Pogba is not physically ready to compete at the elite level required in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. Monaco’s head coach, Adi Hütter, confirmed this, stating that Pogba is undergoing a “drastic reathleticization program” to rebuild his physical condition. This program involves intensive strength training and conditioning, often in the gym, while his teammates train on the pitch.
Monaco’s CEO, Thiago Scuro, outlined a three-month timeline for Pogba to regain peak fitness, targeting a potential debut around early October 2025. This cautious approach aims to prevent further injuries, which have been a recurring issue for Pogba. For instance, during his final season at Manchester United in 2021-22, he missed 20 matches due to injuries, and his limited appearances at Juventus were marred by physical setbacks. By prioritizing long-term fitness over a premature return, Monaco hopes to ensure Pogba can perform at his best without risking further setbacks.
Reason 2: Tactical Adaptation and Team Integration
Beyond physical fitness, Monaco is taking time to integrate Pogba into their tactical system. The club, under Hütter’s guidance, plays a dynamic, high-pressing style that demands midfielders to be versatile, mobile, and cohesive with the team’s movements. Pogba, accustomed to the slower-paced Serie A and the physically intense Premier League, needs to adapt to Monaco’s specific tactical demands. This process involves building chemistry with teammates like Denis Zakaria, Lamine Camara, and academy products such as Soungoutou Magassa and Mamadou Coulibaly.
Monaco’s strategy also emphasizes a youth-centric squad, with recent signings like George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa, and Lamine Camara, all under 20 years old. Pogba’s role is not only to contribute on the pitch but also to mentor these young talents, leveraging his vast experience from winning four Serie A titles, the Europa League, and the World Cup. His integration into the squad extends beyond playing, as he participates in team activities like barbecues and supports his teammates from the stands, fostering leadership and camaraderie.
Reason 3: Strategic Timing for Maximum Impact
Monaco’s decision to delay Pogba’s debut is also strategic. The club is targeting key matches in Ligue 1 and the Champions League, where Pogba’s experience and quality could make a significant difference. For instance, his potential debut could align with high-profile fixtures against teams like Manchester City, Tottenham, or Juventus in the Champions League, where his inclusion in the squad was confirmed. By delaying his return until October, Monaco aims to ensure Pogba is fully prepared to make an immediate impact in these crucial games, rather than rushing him into early-season matches against less formidable opponents like Le Havre.
This approach also considers media and fan pressure. Pogba’s global profile attracts immense attention, and a premature debut could subject him to intense scrutiny if he underperforms. By managing his return carefully, Monaco aims to protect Pogba from external pressures while allowing him to focus on his preparation.
Reason 4: Administrative and Logistical Considerations
While less significant, administrative factors may also contribute to the delay. Free-agent signings in Ligue 1 sometimes require additional paperwork, such as player registrations or international licenses, which could delay Pogba’s eligibility. Although there’s no direct evidence of such issues in Pogba’s case, these logistical hurdles are common in football and could play a minor role in his absence from matchday squads.
Pogba’s Role Off the Pitch: A Leader in Waiting
Despite not playing, Pogba has already made a positive impact off the pitch. He has been actively involved in team activities, mentoring younger players like Lamine Camara and engaging with the squad during pre-season trips, such as Monaco’s tour in England. His leadership qualities, honed through captaining France’s youth teams and winning major titles, are evident in his seamless integration into the squad. More than half of Monaco’s pre-ordered shirts bear Pogba’s name, and his signing has generated over 400 million social media impressions, boosting the club’s and Ligue 1’s visibility.
Fellow signings like Eric Dier and Ansu Fati have praised Pogba’s arrival, with Dier calling it “very exciting for the club and the French league” and Fati noting that Pogba was an idol during his time at Barcelona’s academy. These endorsements highlight Pogba’s influence, even while sidelined.
The Bigger Picture: Pogba’s Career Revival and World Cup Ambitions
Pogba’s move to Monaco is about more than just returning to club football. The midfielder has expressed a strong desire to earn a recall to the French national team for the 2026 World Cup, a goal that Monaco’s CEO Thiago Scuro supports. Pogba’s last appearance for France was in March 2022, and with 91 caps, he remains determined to add to his international legacy. However, he acknowledges that this is a step-by-step process, starting with proving himself at Monaco.
His emotional reaction during the contract signing—captured in a viral video where he broke down in tears underscores the significance of this move. Pogba described the moment as a mix of joy and reflection on his challenging journey, including the doping ban, injuries, and an extortion plot involving his childhood friends. This “rebirth” (as he termed it, “La Renaissance”) is a chance to reclaim his status as one of football’s elite midfielders.
Challenges and Risks: Can Pogba Return to His Best?
While Monaco’s cautious approach is logical, it’s not without risks. Pogba’s history of injuries raises concerns about his ability to return to his peak form, which saw him dominate at Juventus and win the 2018 World Cup. Even before his doping ban, injuries limited his playing time, and at 32, his physical resilience may be tested. Monaco’s previous experience with a high-profile veteran, Cesc Fàbregas, who struggled with injuries and left after sporadic appearances, serves as a cautionary tale.
Moreover, Monaco’s investment in Pogba, despite being a free transfer, comes with a significant salary. The club is banking on his ability to deliver on the pitch and boost their commercial profile through shirt sales and global attention. If Pogba fails to regain his form, the signing could be seen as a gamble that didn’t pay off. However, the club remains optimistic, with Scuro expressing confidence that Pogba can be “even better than before” due to his determination and desire to prove himself.
What’s Next for Pogba and Monaco?
As of today, Pogba is progressing in his fitness program, with recent reports indicating he participated in warm-up sessions during training in August. Coach Hütter suggested that Pogba could join full training sessions by mid-September, aligning with the three-month timeline for an October debut. His inclusion in Monaco’s Champions League squad signals that the club expects him to play a role in their European campaign, potentially against high-profile opponents like Juventus or Real Madrid.
Fans are eager to see Pogba back in action, but Monaco’s patient approach suggests they are prioritizing quality over haste. Whether Pogba can recapture his world-class form remains to be seen, but his journey back to the pitch is one of the most compelling stories in football this season.
Paul Pogba’s absence from AS Monaco’s lineup since his June 2025 signing is a result of careful planning by the club. His lack of match fitness after nearly two years away from competitive football, combined with the need for tactical adaptation and strategic timing, has led Monaco to delay his debut until October 2025. Off the pitch, Pogba is already making an impact through leadership and commercial appeal, but the true test will come when he steps onto the field. As Monaco balances its youth-centric strategy with Pogba’s experience, the football world watches with bated breath to see if “La Pioche” can spark a career renaissance in Ligue 1.