Paul Pogba Relishes Zidane Reunion at Monaco

Paul Pogba stepped back onto a pitch this week with an ear-to-ear grin, finally tasting the freedom that eluded him during an 18-month doping suspension—an episode that had threatened to derail one of modern football’s most mercurial talents.

Paul Pogba’s long road back to joy

The journey has been anything but smooth. After lifting the 2018 World Cup, Paul Pogba endured injuries, inconsistency and a difficult return spell at Manchester United. When a routine test in 2023 produced a positive result for a banned substance, the midfielder was handed a four-year ban that later shrank to 18 months on appeal. The absence hurt more than his reputation; it severed him from the rush of competition that had defined his life since childhood.

Contract termination and the search for a new home

Juventus, reluctant to wait out a lengthy suspension, agreed to a mutual termination. While several clubs tracked developments, genuine offers were thin. Ligue 1 side AS Monaco, keen to marry continental experience with youthful exuberance, made the decisive call. For Paul Pogba, the Principality offered familiarity with French culture, a supportive medical team and an ideal stage to rewrite his story.

A star-studded adidas event featuring Paul Pogba and Zidane

Before full pre-season intensity begins, Monaco sanctioned Pogba’s appearance at an adidas showcase on the Côte d’Azur. There, Zinedine Zidane, Fabien Barthez, Emmanuel Petit and Lilian Thuram—heroes of France’s 1998 World Cup triumph—welcomed their 2018 successor. Sharing rondos and lighthearted banter, Pogba described the kickabout as “a dream come true,” relishing slick one-twos with his childhood idol Zidane. The moment not only fueled nostalgia among fans but also reminded observers of France’s golden midfield lineage.

Why Zidane’s presence matters

For Pogba, Zidane embodies artistry, composure and big-game nerve—traits he once displayed in Russia 2018 and hopes to revive in Monaco’s red and white. Training beside the legendary No. 10, even for a day, re-anchored his confidence. According to insiders, Zidane offered tactical pointers on late runs into the box and encouraged Pogba to trust his “instinct for expression,” words that reportedly resonated deeply.

Monaco’s tactical vision for Paul Pogba

Head coach Adi Hütter plans a flexible 4-3-3 in which Paul Pogba occupies the left-sided No. 8 role, granted licence to drift wide or surge through the centre. Youssouf Fofana will handle the anchor duties, freeing Pogba to showcase line-breaking passes reminiscent of his Juventus pomp. Fitness coaches have designed a bespoke programme blending explosive work with yoga-based mobility sessions to guard against recurring thigh problems.

Fan expectations and commercial uplift

Ticket enquiries spiked 30 percent after Monaco confirmed Pogba’s signing, while the club shop sold out of “Pogba 94” shirts within 48 hours. Sponsors anticipate a multi-market bump; Pogba’s TikTok audience alone eclipses Monaco’s combined social channels, granting the club unprecedented reach.

The mental aspect: lessons from exile

During suspension, Paul Pogba hired a sports psychologist, embraced meditation and limited social media to weekly check-ins. Friends say he now differentiates between constructive scrutiny and toxic chatter. “I missed the ball more than the applause,” he confessed to French outlet L’Équipe. That perspective could prove invaluable in Monaco’s youthful dressing room.

Paul Pogba and France: an unfinished chapter

Didier Deschamps has not closed the door on Pogba’s international return. The midfielder will need a run of injury-free form and evidence of sustained discipline, but Euro 2028 remains a realistic target. Reports suggest Deschamps contacted him post-ban with a simple message: “Work, enjoy, and the rest will follow.”

Key milestones ahead

• 20 July – first Monaco friendly vs Coventry City
• 11 August – Ligue 1 opener against Nantes
• October – potential Europa League group stage debut
Hütter indicated Pogba may start on the bench early on, easing minutes upward to avoid overload.

Financial details of the Monaco deal

Pogba agreed to a base salary of €110,000 per week—considerably lower than his Juventus terms—augmented by performance bonuses tied to appearances, assists, goals and Champions League qualification. A clause allows an extension to 2028 if he completes 60 percent of matches this season.

What success would look like

If Paul Pogba delivers double-digit goal contributions and helps Monaco re-enter Europe’s top club competition, both parties can declare victory. For the player, it would validate months of private graft; for the club, it would confirm a calculated gamble that unites marketability with on-pitch prowess.

Editor’s view: the stakes and the excitement

Watching Paul Pogba glide alongside Zinedine Zidane reminded everyone why the Frenchman became a global phenomenon. Monaco offers a reset button in a supportive yet ambitious environment. Should Pogba channel the joy evident at the adidas event into weekly Ligue 1 performances, the league gains a blockbuster storyline and Les Bleus may regain a midfield maestro just in time for another tournament cycle.