116 minutes in one season: Monaco ends Pogba gamble

Paul Pogba’s adventure at AS Monaco is ending with a damning record: 116 minutes played in an entire season, a string of injuries and a separation now all but confirmed between the Principality club and the 2018 World Cup winner.

A year ago, Monaco had bet on a gradual return to fitness for the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder, who had been suspended and then sidelined after a long spell in the wilderness. The gamble never came to fruition. Pogba’s body sent the same warning signals repeatedly, making any continuity impossible and pushing both parties toward a split.

For pundit Pierre Ménès, the outcome is no surprise. Questioned on his YouTube channel on Monday, he recalled having always judged this return as “perfectly illusory”. “You can’t stay out for three years and come back whistling along like nothing happened. First of all, the body says no, that’s the main problem,” he said, adding that Pogba had initially wanted a two-year contract.

Ménès also revisited the voices hoping to see Pogba return to the France team one day. “I remember people saying ‘Pogba’s return to France is coming soon’. People are taking their wishes for reality. It’s obviously completely impossible,” he concluded.

At 32, Pogba finds himself without a club again and with an uncertain future at the highest level. Possible destinations being discussed for what comes next point toward the Saudi Pro League or MLS, two options that would allow him to extend his career in a less physically demanding setting. No specific destination has yet been confirmed.