Clear reasons why Pogba has yet to play despite the ban being over

Paul Pogba has not appeared for Monaco since joining in June. The cause lies in the French player's fitness issues.

This past summer, Paul Pogba marked his return to professional football by signing with AS Monaco after completing a doping suspension. However, even though the 2025/26 Ligue 1 season has been underway for nearly three months, fans have yet to see the French midfielder take the field in his new colors.

Monaco's CEO, Thiago Scuro, previously warned that Pogba’s comeback to top-level football would be a challenging process: “We expect it to take about three months. Professional sports are closely linked to science and are far from easy. Monaco is also one of the Ligue 1 teams with the highest intensity of play, with a style that demands players to be in peak physical condition”, Scuro emphasized.

Pogba was initially handed a 4-year ban after testing positive for DHEA, a substance that stimulates the body to produce hormones including testosterone. Following a successful appeal, the suspension was reduced to 18 months. Once the ban expired, Pogba signed with Monaco in June, raising hopes of reviving a career previously interrupted by injuries and off-field issues.

However, contrary to expectations, the former Manchester United and Juventus star has yet to feature in an official match. The reason is not because Pogba is out of the plans, but due to his fitness level.

Head coach Adi Hutter recently confirmed that Pogba is on the right track and getting closer to readiness. “Paul is following the club’s training program well. We can clearly see progress both physically and mentally,” he shared.

Nevertheless, Hutter stressed he will not risk playing Pogba just because the team is facing personnel shortages. “You cannot compare Pogba with Ansu Fati. Fati is very young and has been training consistently for a long time. Paul is different; we set a three-month timeline, and he is approaching that mark. There is no reason to force him just to have more players on the field,” the Austrian coach stated.

Pogba might make his comeback after the October international break. This will be a significant milestone as his return not only holds sporting value for Monaco but also provides a morale boost for a player once regarded as one of the most complete midfielders in the world.