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Paul Pogba has left Monaco after the club terminated his contract one year into a two-year deal.
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The 2018 World Cup winner made only six appearances for the Ligue 1 side last season.
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Major League Soccer interest could offer Pogba a fresh start, with DC United and Inter Miami previously linked with the midfielder.
August 19, (THEWILL) — Paul Pogba’s brief spell at Monaco has come to an end after the Ligue 1 club terminated his contract, but the former France international could already have another destination waiting for him.
Monaco confirmed that Pogba’s contract had been ended early after just one season, despite the midfielder having an agreement with the club until June 2027.
The club said the objectives agreed by both parties had only been “partially achieved”, bringing an underwhelming chapter in Pogba’s career to a premature conclusion.
The 33-year-old made just six appearances for Monaco last season, with five of those coming as a substitute, as he struggled to establish himself following his return to professional football.
Despite his limited involvement, Pogba described his time with Monaco as a positive experience and thanked the club for allowing him to return to the game.
“Representing this club and the principality was an incredible experience,” Pogba said.
“AS Monaco is an incredible club and although I did not play as many games as I had hoped, I will always be grateful for the opportunity to wear their colours.”
Pogba joined Monaco in June 2025 after serving an 18-month doping suspension that had threatened to derail his career.
The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder had initially been handed a four-year ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance while playing for Juventus.
Pogba maintained that the positive test was the result of a mistake, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced his suspension from four years to 18 months.
That decision allowed him to return to professional football in March 2025, paving the way for his move to Monaco a few months later.
However, his comeback failed to produce the impact many had expected.
Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro acknowledged that the project had not delivered the desired results but insisted Pogba’s return to professional football should still be viewed positively.
“When [Pogba] joined, we explained that this was a major challenge, that was audacious and ambitious,” Scuro said.
“While the outcome is not what we had hoped for, it should not overshadow the enthusiasm that surrounded his return to club football, nor the fact that Paul was able to return to the pitch and to professional football during this period.”
Scuro added: “We wish Paul all the very best for the future.”
While Pogba’s Monaco exit is now official, his career could continue in the United States.
Major League Soccer clubs are understood to be monitoring his situation, with DC United and Inter Miami among the clubs previously linked with the World Cup winner.
A move to MLS could give Pogba the opportunity to play regularly and rebuild his reputation after several difficult seasons in European football.
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However, there is one immediate concern.
Pogba suffered a hamstring injury during Monaco’s pre-season training camp in England last week, an issue that could delay his next move.
The midfielder’s future is therefore likely to depend partly on how quickly he recovers from the injury and whether an interested MLS club is prepared to wait for him.
For Pogba, the end of his Monaco contract marks another unexpected twist in a career that has already included a World Cup triumph, major transfers, injuries, a doping suspension and a long-awaited return to professional football.
Now, with Monaco behind him and interest reportedly emerging from MLS, the 33-year-old faces another opportunity to revive his career and prove that there is still more to come from one of France’s most decorated midfielders.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
