Will Pogba Head to MLS or Saudi Arabia After Monaco Exit?

Former World Cup Winner Becomes a Free Agent After Difficult Ligue 1 Comeback.

Paul Pogba’s attempt to revive his career in France has come to an abrupt end, with AS Monaco and the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder agreeing to terminate his contract by mutual consent. The decision, confirmed on 19 August 2026, ends a frustrating year for the 33-year-old, who arrived in Monaco hoping to rebuild his career after a lengthy absence from competitive football. Instead, persistent fitness problems limited him to just six appearances and 115 minutes in Ligue 1.

Pogba is now a free agent, and the immediate question is where one of the most decorated midfielders of his generation goes next. Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League are emerging as potential destinations, although there is currently no confirmed agreement with a club in either competition. His next decision could determine whether his career receives one final revival or whether his playing days are approaching their conclusion.

Monaco Gamble Fails to Produce the Expected Comeback.

Pogba joined Monaco in 2025 after more than two years away from regular competitive football. The move was intended to give him an opportunity to rebuild his fitness and return to the level that had previously made him one of Europe’s most influential midfielders.

His career had been disrupted by an 18-month doping suspension, which was later reduced from the original four-year ban. After returning to football, Monaco represented an opportunity to start again in familiar surroundings and demonstrate that he still had something to offer at the highest level.

The reality proved much more difficult.

Pogba managed only six Ligue 1 appearances during his Monaco spell, starting just one match. His limited involvement was largely the result of recurring physical problems, and another thigh injury during pre-season further complicated his prospects of remaining with the club.

Monaco Decided the Objectives Had Not Been Met.

The decision to end the contract was described by Monaco as a mutual agreement. The midfielder’s contract was originally scheduled to run until June 2027, but both sides concluded that the objectives established when he joined had only been partially achieved.

Pogba acknowledged that he had not played as many matches as he had hoped, while Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro praised the player’s professionalism and his influence within the dressing room, particularly among younger members of the squad.

That assessment provides an important distinction. Pogba’s Monaco spell was unsuccessful from a sporting perspective, but the club has not portrayed the player as a disruptive presence. Instead, Monaco’s public comments suggest that his contribution away from the pitch remained valued even though his body repeatedly prevented him from making a sustained impact on it.

MLS Offers a Different Route.

One of the most obvious possibilities now is a move to Major League Soccer in the United States.

MLS has increasingly become a destination for internationally recognised players seeking a different challenge later in their careers. For Pogba, the league could offer the opportunity to continue playing in a less physically demanding environment while also giving him access to a major international market.

There has already been reported interest from MLS clubs, although no club has secured his signature. A move to the United States would also give Pogba the chance to rebuild his reputation away from the intense scrutiny he experienced in European football. The challenge, however, would remain the same: he first needs to prove that his body can withstand regular professional football.

Saudi Arabia Could Provide Another Option.

The Saudi Pro League is another potential destination. Saudi clubs have become increasingly willing to recruit internationally recognised players, particularly those with major European careers and global profiles. Pogba’s reputation as a World Cup winner, former Manchester United star and Juventus midfielder would make him an attractive name for the league.

Reports have linked him with interest from Saudi Arabia, but, as with MLS, there is no confirmed agreement at this stage.

For Pogba, Saudi Arabia could offer financial incentives as well as the opportunity to continue playing in a rapidly developing football market. But money alone will not resolve the biggest question surrounding his future.

The Biggest Problem Is Not Where He Plays, But Whether He Can Play.

Pogba’s situation is fundamentally different from that of many high-profile players who move to MLS or Saudi Arabia towards the end of their careers.

The issue is not simply age. It is availability. At 33, Pogba is still young enough to contribute at a high level if he can remain fit. His technical ability has never been the central question. His passing range, physical strength, ability to control midfield and experience at the highest level remain valuable qualities.

The problem is whether his body will allow him to use those qualities consistently. His Monaco experience provides little reassurance. Six appearances and 115 minutes across an entire season is not enough to establish a sustainable return.

Retirement Is Also Part of the Conversation.

For all the speculation surrounding MLS and Saudi Arabia, retirement cannot be completely dismissed. Pogba’s attempted comeback has already been interrupted repeatedly, and his latest departure leaves him without a club while he continues to recover from injury. Some recent assessments of his situation have questioned whether another comeback is realistic.

That does not mean Pogba has decided to retire. There is currently no confirmation that he intends to end his playing career.

But after everything he has experienced since leaving Manchester United, his next decision will require more than choosing the most attractive contract. It will require an honest assessment of whether he can still compete.

A Final Chapter or One More Comeback?

There is still a version of Pogba that supporters would like to see again. The player who dominated midfield for Juventus. The midfielder who returned to Manchester United for a world-record fee at the time. The France international who helped his country win the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

That player has not been seen consistently for several years. The Monaco move was supposed to be the beginning of his return.

Instead, it became another chapter defined by injuries and limited football. Now MLS and Saudi Arabia could provide another opportunity, but neither destination guarantees a revival.

Pogba’s Next Decision Could Define His Legacy.

Few players of Pogba’s generation have experienced such dramatic highs and lows. He has won the World Cup, domestic titles in Italy and England and major European honours. He has also endured a doping suspension, long periods away from football and a difficult final period at Juventus before his Monaco experiment.

His departure from Monaco does not erase what he achieved. But it does leave his career at a crossroads.

MLS could give Pogba a new environment. Saudi Arabia could offer another lucrative opportunity. But the destination is secondary to the question of fitness. Before Pogba can decide where his next chapter will be written, he must first prove that there is still another chapter to write.

For now, the 33-year-old is a free agent, with his future uncertain and the football world waiting to see whether one of its most recognisable midfielders can produce one final comeback.