Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro has cast significant doubt on the future of Paul Pogba at the Ligue 1 club, acknowledging that the World Cup winner could leave this summer after a first season marred by injuries and underwhelming performances. The French midfielder joined Monaco in June 2025 following an 18-month doping ban, signing a two-year contract that included an option for a second year. However, Scuro's recent comments suggest that the club is reconsidering its commitment to the 32-year-old.
"Maybe he'll leave, yes, maybe he'll stay here, yes," Scuro told a news conference when asked about Pogba's future. "That's a very complicated subject because we have a lot of respect for Paul. For the person first of all." Scuro emphasized that while the club values Pogba as a person and a professional, the on-field results have not matched the initial expectations. "When he first arrived here he was very positive, he worked, he helped the young players. But the truth is that the project didn't go well last season. When we started this project during the summer, the expectations that we had were different to what happened."
Pogba's first season at Monaco was a major disappointment. He made only six appearances across all competitions, with five of those coming as a substitute. He did not make his debut until November 2025, several months after joining, due to an extended period of conditioning and fitness recovery from his doping ban. Once he finally got on the pitch, a persistent calf injury sidelined him for another month, further disrupting his rhythm and ability to contribute. The former Manchester United star, who once commanded a world-record transfer fee of €105 million in 2016, now finds himself in a precarious position where his physical condition is the primary determinant of his career trajectory.
Scuro's remarks echo a broader sentiment within the club that the gamble on Pogba has not paid off. When the deal was announced in summer 2025, there was cautious optimism that the midfielder could rediscover the form that made him a key player for Juventus and the French national team. His arrival was seen as a statement of intent for the principality club, which has traditionally developed young talent but occasionally signs experienced stars. However, the reality has been far from ideal, with Pogba's injury history proving to be an even greater obstacle than many anticipated.
Paul Pogba's career has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Born in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, he rose through the ranks of Le Havre before joining Manchester United's academy in 2009. After a breakthrough season at Old Trafford, he moved to Juventus in 2012, where he established himself as one of the best midfielders in the world. His creativity, physical presence, and technical ability earned him a return to Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record fee. However, his second stint at United was inconsistent, marred by injuries, tactical disagreements, and off-field distractions. He won the Europa League and League Cup with United, but never consistently replicated his Juventus form. In 2022, he rejoined Juventus, but his second spell in Turin was cut short by a serious knee injury and then a doping ban for elevated testosterone levels, which he always maintained was an accidental supplement consumption. The ban was reduced to 18 months, and he was cleared to return in March 2025, eventually signing with Monaco in June.
The doping controversy significantly damaged Pogba's reputation and market value. He missed the 2022-23 and most of the 2023-24 seasons, and only returned to competitive football in late 2025. At Monaco, he joined a squad that finished third in Ligue 1 the previous season, but the team's expectations for the 2025-26 campaign were high. They aimed to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the title and make a deep run in the Champions League. Pogba's presence was expected to add creativity and leadership in midfield, but his absence and lack of form hampered those plans. Monaco eventually finished fifth in Ligue 1, missing out on Champions League qualification, and were knocked out of the Europa League in the round of 16. Scuro's admission that the project did not go well is a clear reflection of the club's disappointment.
Now, as the summer transfer window approaches, Monaco faces a difficult decision. They have one more year left on Pogba's contract, with an option to extend for a second year. However, Scuro has indicated that the decision will be based purely on performance. "I think now, we must be fair to him, look at his preparation every week, to see how he has progressed, his physical level, his technical level. And after, that will be a decision for the coach. If the coach decides to give him game time or not. That depends completely on performances. We have the summer to see what Paul's level will be." This suggests that the next few months will be critical for the midfielder. He will need to prove his fitness and form in pre-season training and friendlies to convince the club to keep him. If he fails to do so, a mutual termination or a transfer to another club could be on the cards.
Scuro's honesty about the situation is refreshing but also stark. He acknowledged that the relationship is open and transparent, but if objectives diverge, a solution must be found. "With Paul, the relationship has always been open, transparent. If, at a certain time, the player's objectives and the club's are different, we have to talk and find a solution. Performance will give all the answers we need." This pragmatic approach means that Pogba's future in Monaco is far from guaranteed. The club is already planning for life without him, potentially looking for younger midfield alternatives.
From Pogba's perspective, this is arguably his last chance to prove himself at a high level. At 32, he is not old by modern standards, but his body has taken a pounding. The injuries and doping ban have robbed him of valuable playing time, and he will be desperate to show that he can still perform. A successful pre-season could lead to him staying and becoming a key player. However, if he fails to impress, he may have to consider offers from less competitive leagues or even consider retirement. The football world will be watching closely.
Monaco fans have shown patience, but the club's hierarchy is results-oriented. The CEO's comments are a clear signal that the romance of the Pogba signing has worn off, and cold, hard facts will determine his fate. The summer of 2026 promises to be a defining moment for both the player and the club.
Source:MSN News