End of his footballing career in Europe? Injury-plagued Pogba released by Monaco

Monaco: Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has been released by Monaco after just a single season in Ligue 1, raising fresh questions about whether his career in European football has come to an end.

The 33-year-old French international, who lifted the World Cup in 2018, has struggled to rebuild his career following a reduced doping ban. His single year at Monaco was further hindered by recurring physical setbacks; Pogba is currently sidelined with a thigh injury shortly after recovering from a knee issue.

Monaco announced the decision in an official statement, explaining that the objectives set upon his arrival were "only partially achieved." Consequently, the club opted to prematurely end a contract that was originally slated to run through June 2027.

Despite the early parting, Monaco praised the midfielder's attitude during his time in the Principality, acknowledging his "remarkable mindset, determination and unwavering high standards." The club added that even while sidelined, Pogba maintained a positive influence on the dressing room by "sharing his experience and know-how" with younger teammates.

Pogba managed just six Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco last season, accumulating a total of only 115 minutes on the pitch.

In the joint statement, Pogba admitted that he had not "played as many matches" as he had envisioned when signing with the French side.

"Representing this club and the principality was an incredible experience," he said, offering his gratitude to the "president, management, teammates, all the staff as well as all the supporters who believed."

The release marks another sharp turn in a tumultuous few years for the once-record-breaking midfielder. Pogba made 233 appearances across two high-profile spells at Manchester United and earned Serie A Player of the Year honors during a dominant four-title tenure with Juventus. Internationally, he earned 91 caps for France and scored in the 4–2 victory against Croatia in the 2018 World Cup final.

However, his career stalled dramatically in 2023 after testing positive for elevated testosterone while at Juventus. Though Pogba maintained the substance was an unintentional ingredient in a U.S.-prescribed supplement, he was initially handed a four-year ban. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced the suspension to 18 months on appeal, paving the way for his move to Monaco.

With his European chapter now uncertain, Pogba is reportedly attracting interest from Major League Soccer in the United States, having previously been linked with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. (AFP)