Paul Pogba has reaffirmed his determination to return to the highest level of football and earn another opportunity with the French national team, despite enduring a difficult and injury-plagued comeback campaign at Monaco.
The former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder has faced one of the most challenging periods of his professional career over the past several years. Yet, even after missing out on France’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Pogba insists his ambition remains unchanged: regain peak fitness, rediscover his best form, and once again wear the famous blue jersey of Les Bleus.
At 33, the World Cup-winning midfielder understands that the road back to elite football is far from straightforward. However, his latest comments reveal a player who remains motivated by unfinished business both at club and international level.
A Long Journey Back to Competitive Football
When Pogba signed for Monaco last summer, the move was widely viewed as a fresh start. After years marked by injuries, off-field controversies, and a lengthy doping suspension, the French star was eager to rebuild a career that once placed him among the world’s most influential midfielders.
His arrival in Ligue 1 generated excitement among Monaco supporters and football fans across France. Many hoped the move would provide the ideal environment for Pogba to regain confidence and consistency away from the intense spotlight that followed him during his spells in England and Italy.
Unfortunately, his comeback has not gone according to plan.
Recurring fitness problems have limited his impact throughout the season, restricting him to only a handful of appearances. The midfielder has accumulated just over 100 minutes of competitive action, leaving him unable to establish the rhythm necessary to compete at the highest level.
Despite these frustrations, Pogba remains grateful for the opportunity to return to professional football after a prolonged absence from the game.
Missing the World Cup Was Not the Main Goal
France’s decision to leave Pogba out of their 2026 FIFA World Cup squad came as little surprise given his lack of playing time and physical struggles.
However, the midfielder has emphasized that representing France at this summer’s tournament was never the primary reason behind his move to Monaco.
According to Pogba, his immediate objective was always to return to competitive football and rebuild his physical condition step by step.
The former French international acknowledged that after spending such a long period away from regular action, expecting an immediate return to the national team would have been unrealistic. Instead, he focused on restoring his fitness and proving to himself that he could still compete professionally.
That realistic approach has helped him remain patient despite the setbacks that continue to slow his progress.
Physical Recovery Remains the Priority
Pogba believes the biggest obstacle standing between him and a return to top-level football is not technical ability but physical readiness.
Throughout his career, the midfielder has been praised for his creativity, vision, passing range, and ability to dominate matches from central midfield. Those qualities, he believes, have not disappeared.
What concerns him most is regaining the physical sharpness required to perform consistently over an entire season.
Years of injuries interrupted his momentum long before his suspension, and the challenge of rebuilding match fitness after such a prolonged absence has proven difficult.
For Pogba, every training session and every minute on the pitch represents another step toward restoring the athletic condition that once made him one of the most complete midfielders in world football.
Football experts often point out that returning from long-term inactivity is not simply a matter of technical training. Players must recover endurance, explosiveness, confidence, and the mental resilience needed to compete against elite opposition week after week.
That is the challenge Pogba continues to embrace.
The France Dream Still Burns Bright
Although he remains focused on Monaco, Pogba has made it clear that his international ambitions have not faded.
Representing France remains one of the greatest honors of his career, and he still dreams of earning another call-up in the future.
The midfielder was a key figure during France’s triumph at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and played a major role in several successful international campaigns. Those memories continue to motivate him as he works toward another opportunity with the national team.
Pogba understands that a return cannot be based on reputation alone. Selection must be earned through performances, fitness, and consistency.
That reality has only strengthened his resolve.
Monaco’s Role in Pogba’s Revival
Monaco’s coaching staff and management continue to support the midfielder’s rehabilitation process, recognizing both his experience and leadership qualities.
While his contributions on the field have been limited so far, his presence around the squad has been viewed as valuable for younger players looking to learn from one of France’s most decorated footballers.
The club remains hopeful that a full pre-season and uninterrupted fitness program could allow Pogba to play a much larger role in the upcoming campaign.
If he can finally overcome the physical setbacks that have disrupted his comeback, Monaco may yet witness the resurgence of a player who once dominated European football’s biggest stages.
For now, Pogba’s mission is simple but demanding: stay healthy, regain momentum, and prove that his remarkable football story still has another chapter to be written.
