Paul Pogba’s attempt to revive his career in Ligue 1 has hit a new low. AS Monaco have officially excluded the French midfielder from their UEFA Champions League squad for the knockout stages, prioritizing his recovery from a persistent calf injury that has derailed his season.
Just 43 Minutes of Action
Since his high-profile arrival at the Stade Louis II, the former Manchester United and Juventus star has struggled to maintain fitness. According to SofaScore, Pogba has managed just 43 minutes across three appearances a statistic that has caused immense frustration within the club’s hierarchy.
Monaco’s Sporting Director, Thiago Scuro, addressed the situation via Fabrizio Romano: “Our medical team is focused on finding solutions so he can return to the pitch. Paul is still recovering from a calf injury,” Scuro explained, though the tone behind the scenes suggests a growing lack of patience.
A Financial Burden
The frustration isn’t just sporting; it’s financial. According to Capology, Pogba is currently the fourth-highest earner at Monaco, trailing only Denis Zakaria, Aleksandr Golovin, and Takumi Minamino.
Earning €94,000 per week (€4.8 million per season), Pogba’s lack of availability has led club officials to consider him an “unnecessary investment.” Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Monaco are already “willing to negotiate his transfer” in the summer window, viewing the signing as a failed experiment.
What’s Next for Pogba?
At 32, Pogba’s future at the elite level of European football is under serious scrutiny. If Monaco manages to find a suitor in the next window, it could mark the end of the Frenchman’s time in a major European league, with potential interest likely to come from emerging markets or a lower-tier challenge.
Wilson Gaspar is a football analyst covering the UEFA Champions League, focusing on match previews, tactical reviews, and the performance of Europe’s top clubs throughout the competition.
