Monaco ends Paul Pogba contract over persistent injury issues
The Ligue 1 club has mutually terminated the 33-year-old’s two-year deal, citing that partnership objectives were only partially met due to fitness problems.
Monaco has officially terminated the contract of midfielder Paul Pogba ahead of the start of the new football season. The decision marks the end of a two-year agreement signed last year, which was intended to provide a platform for the former France international to relaunch his career following a doping ban and a history of injury.
In a statement, the eight-time French champions acknowledged that the objectives initially set for the partnership had only been partially met. The club noted that Pogba, who is 33, made only a handful of substitute appearances last season due to persistent fitness problems. The contract, which was set to run until June 2027, was ended prior to the first match of the new campaign.
Pogba’s time at the club was further complicated by recent setbacks. He struggled to regain full fitness during the pre-season period and recently sustained another injury, which likely contributed to the mutual decision to part ways.
In response to the termination, Pogba issued a statement thanking the club for the opportunity. "Monaco is an exceptional club," he said. "Even though I didn’t play as many matches as I had hoped, I will always be grateful for the opportunity."
The departure comes after a turbulent period for the midfielder. In February 2024, Pogba was initially banned for four years by Italy’s anti-doping court after testing positive for testosterone while at Juventus. The Court of Arbitration for Sport subsequently reduced this ban to 18 months in October 2024.
Prior to his stint in Monaco, Pogba was a prominent figure in world football. He scored in the 2018 World Cup final when France defeated Croatia 4-2, and he made 91 appearances for the national team, scoring 11 goals. He also holds the distinction of being the most expensive soccer player in history at the time of his 2016 transfer from Juventus to Manchester United for 105 million euros. Monaco finished seventh in Ligue 1 last season.
