“We Were Expecting Better” – Paul Pogba’s Monaco Struggles ‘Tough for Everyone’, Says Brother Mathias

Paul Pogba’s long-awaited return to professional football has not gone according to plan — and according to his brother Mathias, the situation is becoming “mentally painful” for the entire family.

After signing for Monaco last summer following the end of his reduced doping ban, the 32-year-old World Cup winner was hoping to relaunch his career in Ligue 1. Instead, recurring injury problems have stalled his comeback.

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A Comeback That Promised So Much

Expectations were high.

Pogba arrived in the Principality determined to prove he still belonged at the elite level. But since December 5, he has been sidelined with a recurring calf injury — an issue serious enough to rule him out of Monaco’s Champions League knockout squad.

Speaking to RMC Sport, Mathias Pogba admitted the family had hoped for a smoother return:

“It’s frustrating, not just for him but for everyone in the family. I told him he couldn’t be back at 100 per cent straight away. We expected better from his return. But this is the reality.”

After nearly two years away from top-level intensity, the adjustment has proven harsher than expected.

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“We Aren’t Robots”

Mathias was candid about the physical toll.

“We aren’t robots. When you come back, you have to do it bit by bit otherwise it sends you signals. That is exactly what is happening to him.”

The body, he suggests, is struggling to cope with the sudden jump in tempo and intensity — something even elite athletes cannot shortcut.

It’s a reminder that returning from a long absence isn’t just about talent. It’s about rhythm, conditioning, and gradual adaptation.

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The Mental Battle

Beyond the calf injury lies a deeper challenge: the psychological strain.

After fighting to clear his name and secure a return to football, suffering another setback feels like another blow.

“It’s more mentally that it becomes difficult. You have high expectations. You are enthusiastic and then you get stabbed in the back again. It’s about bouncing back again and again.”

For Pogba — once one of the most dominant midfielders in world football — patience is now the most important tool in his recovery.

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What Next for Pogba?

The family remains supportive, sending encouragement and urging patience. But the road back to full fitness is uncertain.

At 32, Pogba is fighting more than just injury — he’s fighting time, expectations, and the weight of his own legacy.

The question now isn’t just whether he can return.

It’s whether he can return to the level the world remembers.