Central midfielder Paul Pogba has expressed hope of one day returning to the French national team as he begins a new chapter in his career with Ligue 1 side Monaco.
Speaking during his official presentation on Thursday, the 32-year-old midfielder admitted that wearing the France shirt again remains “a dream and a bonus.”
Pogba has not featured for Les Bleus since March 2022, having endured a turbulent spell marked by persistent injuries and an 18-month doping ban that ended earlier this year.
“It’s every French player’s dream to play for the national team,” Pogba said. “But there are steps to take. Right now, step one is coming back and performing well.”
He acknowledged the strength of the current French squad, noting that any return would require consistent effort. “There are places up for grabs, but they have to be earned—it’s a fantastic group, a great team.”
During Pogba’s absence, France reached the 2022 World Cup final, losing to Argentina on penalties, and made it to the Euro 2024 semi-finals, where they were narrowly defeated by Spain.
Now seeking to revive his career, Pogba signed a two-year contract with Monaco on Saturday. The move marks his first time playing club football in France, despite a long career at the top level in Italy and England.
Pogba’s last few seasons have been marred by challenges. He managed just 12 appearances across three years due to injuries, his doping suspension, and an extortion plot in which he was the victim. In August 2023, he failed a drug test while playing for Juventus, which led to his contract being terminated.
In a further blow, his brother Mathias was sentenced earlier this year for his involvement in an attempt to extort €13 million from Pogba in 2022.
Despite the setbacks, Pogba brings with him an impressive CV, including four Serie A titles with Juventus and a Europa League crown with Manchester United in 2017. His move to Monaco offers a chance to restart—and, perhaps, to once again represent his country on the international stage.
