Latest news with #Scuro
The Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Paul Pogba's Monaco comeback race against Ligue 1 season start
PAUL Pogba's return to Monaco has sparked excitement as the 2018 World Cup winner seeks redemption after years of setbacks. The former Manchester United star faces a race against time to regain form before the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season begins. Pogba dreams of reclaiming his place in the France national team, calling his Monaco move 'stage one' of his comeback. His emotional unveiling in July, where he tearfully signed a two-year deal, went viral on social media. Beyond football, Pogba's arrival has been a marketing boon for Monaco, with high-profile sponsor appearances and brand launches. His new jewellery line, 'Unbreakable,' symbolises his resilience after enduring blackmail, injuries, and an 18-month doping ban. Pogba's brother was jailed in 2024 for attempting to extort €13 million from him, adding to his off-field struggles. After training alone in the US post-Juventus exit, Pogba chose Monaco for its lifestyle, family appeal, and Ligue 1 challenge. Monaco's GM Thiago Scuro confirmed Pogba is progressing well in individual training but highlighted the need for full-group sessions. Coach Adi Huetter praised Pogba's commitment as he adapts to being the squad's senior figure. Scuro stressed Pogba must handle daily high-intensity training before considering a competitive return. A potential comeback target is Monaco's October clash against Nice, with a 2026 World Cup spot as the ultimate goal. Scuro added, 'Seeing him play in the World Cup would mean he's succeeded at Monaco.' - AFP
Indian Express
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Paul Pogba resurfaces at Monaco after sweet-salty first stint and doping ban
In the quaint little village of La Turbie in France, where AS Monaco's performance centre is just a stone's throw away from France boss Didier Deschamps' residence, former French star Paul Pgba is readying for a low key return to football in October. Handed a four-year doping ban in February 2024, it was reckoned that would be the last of the mercurial Frenchman to be heard. But with his ban reduced on appeal to 18 months last October, there was speculation where he would head to, United States, Saudi Arabia or Japan, or France? Pogba put pen to paper for a two-year deal in June, that would mark his return since September 2023 after his suspension ended March. The 32-year-old first invit3d interest frim Marseille, reported BBC. 'We thought about [signing Pogba], we wanted to do it,' said Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia in February. 'The problem is, if we want to bring in a Pogba, who is not yet fit, does it make sense to alter the balance?' Monaco dived in securing termination of his Juventus contract. The French club, were balancing out the squad's age profile after their academy products, Maghnes Akliouche, Eliesse Ben Seghir and Soungoutou Magassa making first team alongside sub-20 recruits George Ilenikhena, Christian Mawissa and Lamine Camara. After experienced players, Wissam Ben Yedder and Guillermo Maripan, left, director Thiago Scuro went looking for experience. 'My understanding is that, in the summer, with the goals that we have, we were becoming too young,' the Brazilian told BBC. 'The next step that we see is getting the performance players on board. That is the challenge.' In mid-May, Pogba met with manager Adi Hutter and president Dmitry Rybolovlev, and was slotted to play alongside another pro, former England defender Eric Dier, 'We want to keep our [youth-centric] strategy, balance it a little but not step away from it,' added Scuro to BBC about Les Monegasques' plans. While Pogba was keen to play against his formative club, Le Havre, on the opening day of the season, Scuro called it unrealistic. 'I can guarantee he won't be on the pitch against Le Havre. We are here to be realistic. We expect a three-month process,' he told BBC. When he was unveiled, more than half of the Monaco shirts ordered were printed with the World Cup winner's name, while social media content surrounding his arrival gained 400 million impressions, reported BBC. President of the league, Vincent Labrune said, 'The league will benefit not only from his talent and his charisma, but also from his international standing.' Pogba has several controversies. An extortion attempt saw him forced to make an admission following accusations from his brother, Mathias, that he had used a witch doctor to place a curse on Kylian Mbappe before PSG's Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester United in 2019. The extortion dated back to the midfielder's time at Old Trafford. In March 2022 he was kidnapped by masked men, who demanded a payment of 13m euros (£11.3m). Pogba was keen to leave the difficult chapter behind. 'It is all linked,' he said at his presentation, which he began by explaining his tears upon signing for Monaco. 'If the mind is good, it will go well on the pitch. It is very rare to see me cry like that, so I hope you enjoyed it. There were so many images that came into my mind. We know the doping story, my injury… everything came back to me during the signing and I just couldn't hold it back. It was a moment of joy.' 'I spoke with multiple people (during his wilderness) who helped me to see things in the present, to not think about the past or the future,' he added. 'I wanted my kids to see me on the pitch – my dream is to see my kids celebrate one of my goals with a dab,' he joked.
