Paul Pogba's comeback: When will he make his debut for Monaco?

After months of uncertainty and speculation, Paul Pogba finally has a new club. The former Juventus midfielder, who was released by the Bianconeri in November following a four-year ban for doping, has signed for AS Monaco.

Pogba joins a Monaco side that has already brought in Eric Dier from Bayern Munich and Ansu Fati from Barcelona this summer. The Ligue 1 outfit has made headlines with its high-profile signings, but Pogba’s return to action will not be immediate.

Pogba, Ansu and Dier, our three new signings! ❤️? pic.twitter.com/DKbhtwnBah

— AS Monaco EN ?? (@AS_Monaco_EN) July 3, 2025

Monaco boss confirms Pogba will not feature in Ligue 1 opener

© Imago

While fans were hoping to see the former France international feature in Monaco’s 2025-26 Ligue 1 opener against his former club Le Havre, the club’s general director, Thiago Scuro, has tempered expectations.

“I can guarantee he will not be on the pitch against Le Havre. We’re being realistic,” Scuro told Get French Football News. “We expect a three-month process. High-level sport is about being physically prepared, and it's not easy. Monaco are one of the most intenseteams in Ligue 1, and we play a style that demands everyone to be fully fit.”

With a return expected no earlier than October, fans are now eyeing the Derby de la Côte d'Azur against southern rivals Nice as a potential debut date for Pogba. Monaco will also host Ligue 1 champions and European title holders PSG in November, by which time the 31-year-old should be fully integrated into the squad.

Pogba joins list of doping-related suspensions

© Imago

Pogba is not the first former Manchester United player to receive a suspension for doping-related issues. In September 2003, Rio Ferdinand missed a scheduled drugs test at United’s training ground. Although he passed a later test, the FA handed Ferdinand an eight-month ban starting in January 2004, along with a £50,000 fine. The suspension ruled him out of the rest of the 2004-05 season and EURO 2004, where England were knocked out by Portugal on penalties in the quarter-finals.

This article was originally published on Fotbal Portal.