Julius OkorieWorld Cup winner and former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to return to active football after close to two years in limbo following doping ban.
The former Juve star has reached a two-year agreement with Ligue 1 side, AS Monaco.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPogba, 32, had been sidelined following a four-year doping ban handed down in 2023, which was later reduced to 18 months. The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner was cleared to return to professional football in March 2025. The deal with Monaco will see Pogba be with the club till June 2027 in the first instance.
Pogba is expected to undergo his medical in the coming days as the final details of the contract are being finalised.
If there is one person that that is thrilled by the news of Pogba’s return to active football, it is compatriot and Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappe.
READ ALSO:Pogba Gets 4-year Ban For Doping Offences
An excited Mbappe who is currently participating in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States with Real Madrid, took to Instagram to share his excitement over Pogba’s comeback. The France national team captain posted a short but powerful message on his story, writing: “Pogback. Daghe Munegu,” a phrase meaning, “Let’s go, Monaco” in the Monégasque dialect.
Pogba’s move to Monaco is seen as a crucial step in rebuilding his career and making a strong case for a spot in France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The midfielder will be looking to return to top form and inspire Monaco in both domestic and European competitions in the coming seasons. Pogba who made combined 289 appearances for Manchester United and Juventus respectively had first and second returns to both clubs.
He scored 28 goals for Juventus and 29 goals for Manchester United in the course of playing for the Serie A and Premier League sides.
Meanwhile Mbappe and his Real Madrid teammates will face FC Red Bull Salzburg tomorrow in their last group match of the Club World Cup.
Madrid who are the highest winners of the FIFA Club World Cup with five titles in the kitty, lead their group with four points, same points with Salzburg.
Both teams are seeking to seal their places in the round of 16 with Al-Hilal and Pachuca already out of the competition with two points and no point to show for their efforts respectively. Ten Teams have so far advanced to the next round.
Chelsea and Benfica are the latest teams to progress to the knock-out stage.They now join the likes of Inter Miami, Palmeiras, PSG, Bayern Munich, Flamengo, Botafogo, Juventus and Manchester City as clubs that will play in Round of 16.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
