Paul Pogba Rediscovers His Smile at Monaco After Doping Ban – and Fulfils Dream of Playing With Zinedine Zidane

Monaco New Boy Paul Pogba Shares the Pitch With France’s 1998 World Cup Icons as He Eyes a Fresh Start

Football rarely hands out second chances so freely—especially not at the elite level. But for Paul Pogba, the road to redemption appears to be well and truly underway.

After an 18-month ordeal dominated by a doping ban, legal appeals, contract terminations, and career uncertainty, the 32-year-old has finally returned to a space that feels like home: the football pitch. And perhaps fittingly for a player whose career has often blurred the lines between flamboyance and frustration, Pogba’s comeback has coincided with a moment that made his inner child beam—sharing a football pitch with Zinedine Zidane and France’s 1998 World Cup-winning heroes.

It was, as Pogba put it, a “dream come true.”

From World Champion to Outcast

The journey to this point has been anything but smooth. Back in 2018, Pogba stood on top of the footballing world. As part of France’s golden generation, he was instrumental in their World Cup triumph in Russia. A leader on and off the pitch, his performances silenced many of the doubters who had questioned his consistency at Manchester United.

But the years that followed haven’t been kind. Injuries, dressing room tensions, and managerial instability overshadowed his return to Old Trafford. And then came the real hammer blow: in 2023, Pogba was hit with a four-year doping ban after testing positive for a banned substance. The news stunned the football world and sent the Frenchman into one of the darkest periods of his life.

Pogba, always an expressive figure, faded from the spotlight. On appeal, his ban was reduced to 18 months—but by then, Juventus had terminated his contract, and his footballing future hung in the balance.

Monaco Offers a Lifeline

Pogba Monaco

Step forward AS Monaco. Known for giving elite talent the space to reset—think Radamel Falcao, James Rodríguez, and Kylian Mbappé—the principality club saw an opportunity in Pogba’s hunger to start again. And for Pogba, a return to Ligue 1, where it all began, makes poetic sense.

Monaco’s faith in him is not blind. Despite his recent setbacks, Pogba remains one of the most technically gifted midfielders of his generation. If he can stay fit and focused, the rewards could be significant—for both club and player.

Settling into life in Monte Carlo, Pogba has spoken openly about feeling “joyful” and “rejuvenated” once more. “Football is my passion,” he said during a recent press engagement. “To be away from it for so long was painful, but I never stopped working. Monaco have given me a chance, and I want to repay that.”

Pogba Fulfils a Lifelong Dream With Zidane & Co.

If finding a new club wasn’t enough to lift his spirits, a recent opportunity put the cherry on top: an invitation to play in an adidas-sponsored charity and legends event alongside members of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning squad.

For any French player growing up in the late 1990s and early 2000s, that squad is the gold standard. And for Pogba, Zinedine Zidane has long been more than just a footballer—he’s been a role model.

At the event, hosted in the south of France, Pogba rubbed shoulders and traded passes with Zidane, Lilian Thuram, Emmanuel Petit, and Fabien Barthez. For a moment, the years melted away. Pogba wasn’t the beleaguered ex-star trying to rebuild his career—he was just a footballer enjoying the game he loves with the idols who inspired him.

“It’s a dream,” Pogba said, grinning ear to ear. “To share a pitch with these legends, it reminds you why you started playing in the first place.”

The Road Ahead at Monaco

The feel-good factor is welcome, but there’s hard work ahead. Monaco, under new management, are building a squad capable of challenging for European qualification—and Pogba will be central to those ambitions if he can find his rhythm.

Fitness will be the first hurdle. Pogba has not played regular competitive football since early 2023, and though he’s kept himself in shape, match sharpness is another matter. Monaco’s preseason program will be critical in getting him up to speed, and head coach Adi Hütter has reportedly devised a tailored plan to integrate him slowly but effectively.

There’s also the matter of leadership. Despite his ups and downs, Pogba remains a respected figure in the dressing room. Young players still gravitate toward him, and his experience—particularly on the biggest stages—could be invaluable as Monaco navigate a competitive Ligue 1 season.

A Reputation to Rebuild, A Legacy to Protect

Paul Pogba

There’s no escaping the shadow cast by Pogba’s doping ban. It remains a blemish on an otherwise glittering career. But if anyone has the personality to flip the script, it’s Paul Pogba.

He has always played the game with a sense of flair and unpredictability that is uniquely his. But behind the social media posts and the extravagant haircuts lies a competitor—a man who, when locked in, can dominate the midfield against the very best.

Monaco offers him a clean slate. Ligue 1 is a familiar battleground, but the challenge is new. Can he stay healthy? Can he silence the critics one more time? Can he remind the world of the player who once bossed a World Cup final?

Time will tell. But one thing is clear: Paul Pogba has his smile back. And when Pogba smiles, football wins.