Will Paul Pogba Play In AS Monaco vs Cercle Brugge?

Paul Pogba has made his return to the professional football scene by joining AS Monaco before the beginning of the 2025/26 season. The French midfielder joined the Ligue 1 side as a free agent on 28 June (2025), signing a two-year contract with them in the process. Pogba is now ready to get back to football after the end of his ban from the beautiful game, with the midfielder having been suspended from playing professional football in September 2023 before serving out an 18-month suspension. Pogba is now ready to start playing for AS Monaco, who are set to play Cercle Brugge in a friendly match on 11 July (2025).

Will Paul Pogba Play in AS Monaco vs Cercle Brugge?

Paul Pogba had an emotional comeback to professional football after joining AS Monaco. After having his contract mutually terminated by Juventus on 15 November 2024, the 31-year-old midfielder had to be on the sidelines and take personal training for over six months before joining another European side. As he is now ready to resume his career, everyone is curious to know what Paul Pogba next match will be. Many fans have started debating whether the French midfielder could make his debut for in the AS Monaco vs Cercle Brugge friendly game.

However, it has now been confirmed by the AS Monaco president that the club's management doesn't see Pogba making his debut anytime soon. The French midfielder is unlikely to play in their pre-season friendly matches and has been ruled out of Monaco's 2025/26 Ligue 1 opener against Le Harve on 17 August (2025).

AS Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro provided the reality on Pogba's adaptation to his new club, and when asked when the ex-Manchester United midfielder could start playing for them, he stated: “I can guarantee that he won’t be on the pitch against Le Havre. We are here to be realistic. We expect a three-month process. High-level sport is a lot about science, and it is not easy. Monaco is one of the most intense teams in Ligue 1 and plays a style that requires him to be fit.” Hence, it appears that fans might have to wait until October 2025 to start seeing Pogba playing for Monaco, unless he can win over the management by proving his fitness in training in the next few months.

Paul Pogba Career So Far

Paul Pogba came up through the Manchester United academy after joining them as a 16-year-old from Le Havre, where he played as a teenager. The Frenchman made his senior debut for the Red Devils in a League Cup game against Leeds United in the 2011/12 season. He made seven appearances in his debut campaign at the senior level, but was dissatisfied with the lack of opportunities and ended up running down his contract to join Juventus as a free agent in the summer of 2012.

That turned out to be a masterstroke for Pogba, as he enjoyed four productive seasons with the Bianconeri. He transformed himself into an efficient, energetic midfielder. He won four back-to-back Serie A titles with Juventus as well as the Coppa Italia title twice, helping them to the UEFA Champions League final in 2015 too. Pogba's impressive work at Juventus compelled Manchester United to break the bank and bring him back to Old Trafford in 2016 for a £89.3 million transfer fee.

Pogba's return to Manchester United ended up being a topsy-turvy ride. He made 226 appearances in his second stint with the club, scoring 39 goals and providing 51 assists as well as winning the UEFA Europa League and Carabao Cup with them.

He rejoined Juventus as a free agent in 2022, but injuries plagued his second stint at the club, reducing him to only nine appearances before the doping scandal ended his career at Juventus. Pogba has had a decorated international career with France, helping them win the 2018 FIFA World Cup and scoring 11 goals in 91 appearances for France. The 32-year-old will now look to regain his top form at Monaco and prove he can still thrive as a top-level footballer by helping his new side strongly challenge for the league title against PSG in the 2025/26 season.