Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly been offered a route back into professional football by a Ligue 1 side, just months after receiving a four-year ban for a doping violation.
According to a report by Goal.com, the unnamed French club has tabled a two-year contract to the 31-year-old, with the option to extend by a third year. The move is seen as a potential “second chance” for Pogba, who is currently suspended from all football activities until August 2027, pending a successful appeal.
Doping Ban and Career Fallout
Pogba’s suspension, handed down by Italy’s anti-doping tribunal in February 2024, followed a positive test for elevated levels of testosterone after Juventus’ season opener in August 2023. The ruling severely disrupted his second stint at Juventus and cast a shadow over his decorated career, which includes a 2018 FIFA World Cup title with France.
Though Pogba has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, a final decision could take months. If the ban is upheld, the midfielder would be sidelined well into his mid-30s, a critical period in any footballer’s career.
Who’s Making the Offer?
Ligue 1 club Monaco is said to see value in Pogba’s leadership, profile, and experience, particularly if the CAS appeal results in a reduced ban. A club looking to rebuild or boost its commercial appeal could benefit from association with a player of Pogba’s global stature—even off the pitch.
Pogba’s Options Narrow
Pogba has remained relatively silent since the ruling but has previously described the punishment as “unbelievable” and “not fair.” With major European clubs likely to be cautious given the length of the ban and reputational risks, a return to France may represent his most viable path back to the game.
The offer of a long-term contract despite his current unavailability suggests confidence that the ban could be reduced on appeal, or that the club is willing to wait for his return.
A Once-Bright Star Dimmed?
Once the world’s most expensive player when he rejoined Manchester United from Juventus in 2016, Pogba’s career has been riddled with injury setbacks, inconsistency, and off-field controversy. His return to Juventus in 2022 failed to reignite his form, and the doping ban may have brought his top-level career to a premature halt—unless a successful appeal or supportive club environment helps change that trajectory.
Paul Pogba’s potential return to Ligue 1 offers a glimmer of hope for the former superstar’s career. Whether the move materialises depends on the outcome of his appeal and the readiness of clubs to bet on redemption over reputation. One thing is clear: even in exile, Pogba’s name still commands headlines.
