Paul Pogba (32) has found a new club following his return from a doping ban. The Frenchman has penned a two-year deal at AS Monaco. At the signing of his contract, he showed his emotion, and has now shared what was on his mind at the time.

Pogba has not played since September 2023, when he was suspended following a doping violation. He was initially banned for four years before the ban was decreased to 18 months on appeal. Prior to that, The pickaxe had contended with injuries, as well as a kidnapping and extortion episode involving his brother, Matthias. The latter was handed a three-year sentence for his role in the affair, two years of which are suspended.

Pogba said at the time of that ruling, in December 2024, that he wished to “turn the page”. By signing for Monaco and returning to professional football, he is looking to do just that. However, the episodes in his recent past were on his mind when signing his first professional deal since serving that doping ban.

“As you saw, there were a lot of emotions. It is very rare to see me cry like that, so I hope you enjoyed it,” joked Pogba in response to a question from Tezzbuzz. “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 couldn’t hold back. It was a moment of joy! That was important for me,” he added.

Tezz | Sandy – reporting from Monaco