Paul Pogba suffers fresh injury, future at Monaco in doubt

MONACO: Paul Pogba’s much-anticipated return to regular football has suffered another setback after the former France international picked up a new thigh injury during Monaco’s training camp in England.

The 33-year-old midfielder sustained an injury to his left thigh on Tuesday, just days after Monaco defeated Liverpool in a pre-season friendly. The setback came at England’s national football centre at St George’s Park, where Monaco were continuing preparations for the new campaign.

Pogba had only recently returned to group training following a lengthy absence caused by problems with his right knee. His latest injury has now raised fresh questions about whether he will be fit enough to make a meaningful contribution when the Ligue 1 season begins.

The 2018 World Cup winner has endured a difficult period since leaving the spotlight of top-level football. After serving an 18-month suspension from football following a doping case, Pogba returned to competitive action with Monaco last season.

However, his comeback was limited. He appeared in only six Ligue 1 matches and managed just 115 minutes of football, underlining the physical challenges he has faced since his suspension.

Pogba has also featured sparingly during Monaco’s current pre-season campaign, playing only one half of football so far. Sources close to the situation reportedly believe the latest injury means he remains some distance from the fitness level needed to start the Ligue 1 campaign.

The Frenchman’s future at Monaco could therefore become a major talking point in the coming weeks. While his experience and quality remain valuable, his ability to stay fit will be crucial if he is to rebuild his career.

For Pogba, the latest setback is particularly frustrating as he had been working toward a sustained return. The midfielder will now face another period of recovery and rehabilitation as Monaco assess the seriousness of the injury.

With the new Ligue 1 season approaching, Pogba’s immediate priority will be getting back to full fitness. Whether he can overcome another injury setback and finally enjoy a consistent run of football remains one of the intriguing questions surrounding his career.