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- 43 minutes ago
Paul Pogba's Monaco debut DELAYED after injury setback
Tom Weber
- Updated: 10 Oct 2025 13:09 BST
- 4 min read
News
Monaco midfielder Paul Pogba was in line to make his long-awaited return to the pitch next week, but an injury setback has now jeopardised these plans, according to French media.
The 32-year-old has not played a minute of competitive football in two years due to failing a drug test in 2023. The then-Juventus midfielder was initially suspended for four years but had his punishment reduced to 18 months last year.
This allowed him to return to professional training in January, and he could have played again in March. However, Juventus had terminated his contract in late 2024, and it wasn't until this summer that Pogba found a new club.
Current ETV
Paul Pogba
M (CL), DM (C)
Monaco
Paul Pogba
M (CL), DM (C)
Monaco
ETV Range
€2.6M - €4M
Monaco decided to take a chance on the 2018 World Cup winner, signing him on a free transfer ahead of their Champions League campaign and setting up a three-month training regime to get him back into proper match shape.
Some optimists at Monaco had hoped that Pogba would be able to play his first minutes before this current international break, but it was ultimately decided that it would be better to give him more time and to have him ready for the Ligue 1 clash with Angers on 18 October.
Pogba suffers injury setback
However, Nice-Matin now reports that Pogba has suffered a 'minor injury,' which is likely to delay his return to the pitch. The exact extent of the problem has not been revealed, but Monaco have confirmed to the French outlet that the midfielder is dealing with a muscle issue.
The report makes sure to emphasise that rumours of a potentially more serious knee injury are wide of the mark. However, it is acknowledged that this isn't the first small fitness setback Pogba has faced in his 're-athleticisation.'
It is now unclear when Pogba will be fit to make his debut for Monaco, but it looks as though he won't be ready in time for the Angers game. Naturally, the Principality club do not want to rush him back into action before he is fully ready.
Meanwhile, there are also potentially bigger problems to contend with. On Thursday, reports broke in France that Monaco have decided to relieve head coach Adi Hutter of his duties. The club have yet to officially announce the Austrian's sacking.
Belgian title-winning Union Saint-Gilloise head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, a former West Brom and Brighton defender, has already been lined up as Hutter's replacement after talks with former Borussia Dortmund boss Edin Terzic came to nothing.
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