Paul Pogba has experienced one of the most dramatic careers in modern football. At his best, the French midfielder was powerful, creative, technically gifted, and capable of controlling matches from midfield. He became a World Cup winner with France in 2018, won major trophies with Juventus and Manchester United, and became one of the most recognizable footballers of his generation.
But Pogba’s career has also been interrupted by injuries, a doping suspension, and long periods away from competitive football. His attempted comeback with AS Monaco in 2025–26 produced only limited playing time, and his future became uncertain again after another thigh injury in August 2026. Recent reports indicate that Monaco and Pogba have been discussing an early termination of his contract.
That explains why searches for Paul Pogba, Paul Pogba stats, Paul Pogba wife, Paul Pogba net worth, Paul Pogba news, and what happened to Paul Pogba remain so popular.
This guide looks at Pogba’s age, career statistics, Juventus and Manchester United years, Monaco situation, World Cup history, injury problems, family, religion, boots, and what could come next.
Who Is Paul Pogba?
Paul Labile Pogba is a French professional footballer who plays primarily as a central midfielder. He was born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France, making him 33 years old in August 2026.
Pogba became known for a rare combination of physical strength and technical ability. At 1.91 metres tall, he could compete physically while also possessing the passing range, ball control, and creativity normally associated with smaller midfielders.
His career began at Le Havre before he joined Manchester United’s academy. He eventually moved to Juventus, where he established himself as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders.
He later returned to Manchester United for a then-world-record transfer fee for a player, before returning to Juventus in 2022. Persistent injuries and his subsequent suspension severely disrupted that second Juventus spell.
How Old Is Paul Pogba?
Paul Pogba is 33 years old.
He was born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne in the Île-de-France region of France.
His age has become particularly relevant because his comeback attempt has taken place in his early thirties, an age when elite midfielders can still perform at a high level but usually require careful management of workload and recovery.
Pogba’s problem has not simply been age. His recent career has been affected by repeated injuries and an extended period without competitive football.
Paul Pogba Career Stats
Pogba’s overall career numbers show how productive he was before his recent setbacks.
According to career statistics compiled by Foot Mercato, Pogba has recorded approximately 443 club and international appearances, 75 goals, and 73 assists across his senior career.
Opta’s career record gives a more competition-specific picture, recording:
- Manchester United: 154 Premier League appearances in his second spell, with 29 goals and 38 assists.
- Juventus: 124 Serie A appearances in his first spell, with 28 goals and 22 assists.
- Monaco: Six appearances in 2025–26, with 115 minutes played and no goals or assists.
- France: 91 international caps are recorded in major reporting on his career.
The numbers also demonstrate something important about Pogba’s playing style. His value was never measured only by goals. His ability to progress the ball, create chances, switch play, and drive forward from midfield was central to his reputation.
Paul Pogba at Juventus
Juventus was where Pogba first became a genuine global star.
After leaving Manchester United as a young player, he joined Juventus in 2012. The move turned out to be transformational.
During his first Juventus spell from 2012 to 2016, Pogba became a key part of a team that dominated Italian football.
He helped Juventus win four consecutive Serie A titles from 2012–13 through 2015–16, as well as Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana trophies.
His individual development was equally important. He went from promising academy player to one of Europe’s most valuable midfielders.
His performances eventually persuaded Manchester United to bring him back to England in 2016 for around £89 million, making him the world’s most expensive footballer at that time.
Pogba’s Juventus Statistics
Opta records 124 Serie A appearances, 28 goals and 22 assists during his first Juventus spell.
His best Serie A season statistically came in 2015–16, when he played 35 league matches and recorded eight goals and 12 assists.
Those numbers help explain why Juventus considered him such a valuable player.
Paul Pogba at Manchester United
Pogba returned to Manchester United in 2016 under José Mourinho.
His second spell at the club contained some outstanding individual performances but was also marked by injuries, inconsistent availability, tactical questions, and intense media scrutiny.
Across his second Manchester United spell, Opta records 154 Premier League appearances, 29 goals, and 38 assists.
His most productive Premier League season for goals came in 2018–19, when he scored 13 league goals and provided nine assists.
He also helped Manchester United win the 2016–17 EFL Cup and UEFA Europa League.
However, his relationship with the club became increasingly complicated. By the time his contract expired in 2022, his second Manchester United spell was widely viewed as falling short of the expectations created by his transfer fee.
Why Did Paul Pogba Leave Manchester United?
Pogba left Manchester United in 2022 as a free agent and returned to Juventus.
His departure followed years of speculation about his future, injuries, managerial changes, and disagreements over his role.
The transfer was symbolic because Pogba had originally left United as a teenager, developed into a superstar at Juventus, and then returned to Old Trafford as a record-breaking signing.
Yet his second United spell never produced the sustained consistency that supporters had expected.
His return to Juventus initially looked like an opportunity to reset his career, but it quickly became another difficult chapter.
What Happened to Paul Pogba?
The short answer is that a combination of injuries and an anti-doping suspension dramatically interrupted his career.
Pogba’s final competitive appearance before his suspension came in 2023 while he was at Juventus.
In September 2023, he was provisionally suspended after a test detected DHEA, a prohibited substance. Italy’s anti-doping tribunal initially imposed a four-year suspension.
Pogba appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. In October 2024, CAS confirmed the anti-doping violation but reduced the suspension from four years to 18 months. CAS said the ingestion was not intentional, although it also determined that Pogba had not been completely without fault and should have exercised greater care.
The reduced ban meant he could return to competitive football in March 2025.
This was a major turning point. Pogba had gone from being one of football’s most expensive and celebrated midfielders to fighting simply to get back onto the pitch.
Paul Pogba’s Injury Problems
Injuries have been a recurring theme throughout Pogba’s career.
He suffered serious physical problems during both Manchester United spells and his return to Juventus in 2022 was particularly difficult.
The injuries affected his ability to build rhythm. For a midfielder whose game depends on movement, physical power, and repeated high-intensity actions, long periods away from football can be especially damaging.
His 2022–23 Juventus season illustrates the problem. BBC Sport reported that he managed only 162 minutes across five appearances that season before further problems and eventually his suspension.
His comeback at Monaco was supposed to provide a fresh beginning.
Instead, he played only six matches and around 115 minutes during the 2025–26 season.
Paul Pogba and Monaco
Pogba joined AS Monaco in 2025 as part of his attempt to rebuild his career.
The move was emotionally significant. After his long absence from football, signing for a French club offered him the opportunity to play in his home country and potentially regain his previous level.
He even scored in a friendly during his preparation for competitive football in March 2026.
Unfortunately, his competitive involvement remained extremely limited.
He made six appearances during the 2025–26 campaign and played only about 115 minutes.
Then came another setback in August 2026. Pogba suffered a new thigh injury during Monaco’s training camp in England. Reports subsequently indicated that Monaco was preparing to end the relationship early, with negotiations taking place over the termination of his contract.
What Is Happening With Pogba and Monaco Now?
As of August 2026, Pogba’s Monaco future is highly uncertain.
Reports say the club and player’s representatives are discussing an early termination rather than continuing into the final year of his contract. The discussions were reportedly already underway before his latest injury, although the injury made the situation more difficult.
So, when people search Paul Pogba news or Paul Pogba transfer, the important point is that his Monaco departure is being reported as a developing situation rather than a completed transfer to another club.
Why Isn’t Paul Pogba Playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Pogba was not selected for France’s 2026 World Cup squad.
His absence is understandable when considering his recent football record. He entered the tournament period after a difficult Monaco season in which he made only six appearances and played 115 minutes.
Pogba himself has continued to regard playing for France as a dream, but returning to the national team required him first to establish consistent fitness and competitive form.
That never happened before the 2026 tournament.
This is especially painful because Pogba was one of the central figures in France’s 2018 World Cup triumph.
Paul Pogba and the 2018 World Cup
The 2018 World Cup represents the high point of Pogba’s international career.
France won the tournament in Russia, defeating Croatia 4–2 in the final.
Pogba scored France’s third goal in that final, producing one of the defining moments of his career.
He was more than a squad player. His ability to combine physical strength, passing range, and tactical intelligence made him an important part of Didier Deschamps’ midfield.
The contrast between 2018 and 2026 is therefore striking: eight years after becoming a World Cup winner, Pogba was watching the tournament rather than playing in it.
Paul Pogba’s Wife
Paul Pogba is married to Maria Zulay Salaues, a Bolivian model and entrepreneur.
The couple’s relationship began around 2017, and reports of their marriage emerged publicly around 2019. Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported that their relationship began in Los Angeles and that Salaues later used the surname Pogba publicly.
The couple have children together and have generally maintained a relatively private family life.
Pogba’s wife has also been present during some of the most difficult periods of his career, including the years surrounding his injuries and suspension. The official CAS award itself refers to “Mrs. Zulay Pogba” as Pogba’s wife and includes evidence from her in the proceedings.
In 2026, she was also recognized at the WIBA Awards in Cannes with a Lifestyle Influencer Award, reflecting her own growing public profile.
Paul Pogba’s Religion
Paul Pogba is a practicing Muslim.
His faith has been publicly visible at different points in his career. He has spoken about Islam and has also been photographed visiting Mecca.
His religious identity is part of his public life, although he generally does not make it the central subject of his football career.
Paul Pogba’s Brothers
Pogba comes from a footballing family.
His older twin brothers are Florentin Pogba and Mathias Pogba. Both have also played professional football.
Florentin represented Guinea internationally, while Mathias has been involved in professional football and has also received significant media attention because of his relationship with Paul.
Growing up with two football-playing brothers likely contributed to the competitive environment surrounding the Pogba family.
Paul Pogba’s Net Worth
There is no universally verified public figure for Paul Pogba’s current net worth.
Online estimates vary considerably because net worth calculations depend on private assets, investments, property, contracts, taxes, sponsorship agreements, and other information that is not fully public.
What is clear is that Pogba has earned substantial income during his career through club salaries, endorsements, and commercial partnerships.
His 2016 transfer to Manchester United for around £89 million also reflected his extraordinary market value at the time.
Rather than repeating an unsupported net-worth number, it is more accurate to say that Pogba became a highly wealthy footballer through elite club contracts and major commercial deals, while his exact present-day wealth is not publicly established.
Paul Pogba Boots
Pogba has had a long-running partnership with adidas, particularly around the Predator football-boot range.
Adidas describes its Paul Pogba boot collaboration as beginning in 2014. His signature collection has included various Predator models and special editions.
One particularly notable release was the Paul Pogba x adidas by Stella McCartney Predator Freak, a limited-edition vegan football boot released in 2021. Adidas said the boot combined Pogba’s football style with Stella McCartney’s focus on sustainable design.
His boot collaborations also reflect something distinctive about Pogba: he has always treated football fashion as part of his personal identity.
What Could Happen Next for Paul Pogba?
Pogba’s next step is difficult to predict.
If his Monaco contract is terminated, he could become a free agent. Reports have already generated speculation about possible destinations, including opportunities outside Europe’s top leagues. However, a move cannot be treated as confirmed until a club and player announce an agreement.
The bigger question is whether Pogba can remain healthy enough to complete a sustained season.
His technical quality has never been the main question. His challenge is availability.
A player who has made only 18 professional appearances since leaving Manchester United in 2022, according to recent reporting, faces a very different career decision from the one he faced at age 23.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Paul Pogba?
Paul Pogba is 33 years old. He was born on March 15, 1993, in Lagny-sur-Marne, France.
What happened to Paul Pogba?
Pogba’s career was disrupted by repeated injuries and an anti-doping suspension. His original four-year suspension was reduced to 18 months by CAS, allowing him to return in 2025, but further injuries limited his comeback with Monaco.
Is Paul Pogba married?
Yes. Pogba is married to Maria Zulay Salaues, also known as Zulay Pogba. The couple have children together and have generally kept their family life relatively private.
Why is Paul Pogba not playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Pogba was not selected for France’s 2026 World Cup squad after a very limited 2025–26 season with Monaco. He made six appearances and played approximately 115 minutes, making a return to the national team extremely difficult.
What are Paul Pogba’s career stats?
Career databases record hundreds of senior appearances for Pogba, including 154 Premier League appearances for Manchester United in his second spell and 124 Serie A appearances for Juventus during his first spell. Across his broader club and international career, Foot Mercato lists 443 matches, 75 goals and 73 assists.
Is Paul Pogba leaving Monaco?
Reports in August 2026 indicate that Monaco and Pogba’s representatives are discussing an early termination of his contract. The situation followed a difficult season and another thigh injury, but the departure was still a developing situation rather than a completed transfer at the time of reporting.
Conclusion
Paul Pogba’s career is a story of extraordinary highs followed by an unusually difficult period.
He went from Manchester United academy prospect to Juventus star, returned to Manchester United for a record-breaking transfer fee, became a World Cup winner with France, and established himself as one of the most talented midfielders of his generation.
His later career has been much harder.
Injuries repeatedly interrupted his progress, while his anti-doping suspension kept him away from competitive football for an extended period. CAS reduced his initial four-year ban to 18 months after finding that the violation was not intentional, but the return he hoped for has not developed as planned.
His Monaco comeback produced only six appearances and 115 minutes before another injury raised fresh questions about his future. Current reports indicate that Monaco is working toward ending the relationship early.
Yet Pogba’s legacy cannot be judged solely by his final seasons.
The 2018 World Cup, four Serie A titles with Juventus, his Europa League success with Manchester United, and his remarkable ability to influence matches remain significant parts of his career.
For now, the biggest question is not whether Pogba still has the talent. It is whether his body will allow him one more sustained opportunity to show it.
