Paul Pogba’s Wife Responds to Retirement Calls as Monaco Exit Looms

Paul Pogba’s future in professional football has once again become uncertain, with reports suggesting that his time at Monaco could soon come to an end. The French midfielder has endured another difficult period with injuries, and speculation has intensified that his contract with the Ligue 1 club could be terminated by mutual agreement.

Pogba joined Monaco with the intention of rebuilding his career after a prolonged absence from competitive football. However, his return to the pitch has not gone according to plan. Persistent fitness problems during pre-season have reportedly raised concerns within the club, while reports in France indicate that discussions have taken place between Monaco and Pogba’s representatives regarding the possibility of ending his contract.

The situation has also prompted some supporters to question whether the 2018 World Cup winner should consider retiring from professional football altogether. Pogba’s wife, Zulay Pogba, has strongly rejected those suggestions and defended her husband against criticism surrounding his career and motivations.

Zulay, who married Pogba in 2017, responded to people questioning whether the midfielder still has anything left to accomplish in football. She also dismissed suggestions that financial considerations were the main reason behind his decision to return to the sport.

In her response, Zulay made it clear that Pogba’s decision about when to retire belongs to him and his faith. She emphasized that neither supporters nor commentators can determine when his career should come to an end. According to her, only God knows when Pogba’s time in football will finally be over.

She also addressed claims that Pogba returned to professional football primarily because of money. Zulay pointed out that the family is financially secure and suggested that financial gain was not the motivation behind his attempt to resume his career.

Her comments came amid a wave of criticism on social media, where fans have questioned whether Pogba’s body is capable of handling the demands of elite football anymore. The midfielder has suffered numerous physical setbacks throughout his career, and his latest injury problems have only added fuel to those discussions.

Zulay also criticized the way social media allows people to make harsh comments without considering the person receiving them. She argued that users can easily hide behind a screen, criticize someone’s decisions and question their intentions without remembering that there is a real person on the other side.

Her defense of Pogba highlighted the human side of the situation. Despite his status as a global football star, the Frenchman has faced intense scrutiny throughout his career, particularly during difficult periods. His wife appeared determined to remind critics that public figures can still be affected by the comments directed at them.

Perhaps the strongest part of her response was her reminder of what Pogba has already achieved. Those questioning what the midfielder has left to prove were reminded that he has accomplished one of the biggest dreams available to any professional footballer: winning the FIFA World Cup with his country.

Pogba played an important role for France during their successful 2018 World Cup campaign in Russia. His performances during the tournament helped establish one of the defining moments of his career. For Zulay, that achievement alone demonstrates that Pogba has already reached a level that many players spend their entire careers dreaming about.

However, Pogba’s career has changed dramatically since that triumph. His prolonged absence from football has seen him fall out of contention for the French national team, while injuries and disciplinary issues have prevented him from consistently producing the performances that once made him one of the most highly regarded midfielders in world football.

A decade ago, Pogba was considered one of the brightest young talents in the game. His first spell at Juventus was particularly impressive, as he developed into a powerful and technically gifted midfielder capable of influencing matches in several different ways.

His performances in Italy eventually convinced Manchester United to bring him back to England. In 2016, United paid a then-world-record transfer fee for a footballer to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford. The move generated enormous expectations, with many believing that he could become one of the best midfielders in the world.

Pogba produced moments of outstanding quality during his second spell at Manchester United. His passing range, physical strength, ability to carry the ball and eye for spectacular goals occasionally demonstrated why the club had invested so heavily in him.

Nevertheless, his time in Manchester was frequently disrupted by injuries and criticism. Questions were regularly raised about his consistency, tactical discipline and positional awareness. Although he produced flashes of brilliance, he struggled to maintain his best level over extended periods.

Eventually, Pogba returned to Juventus on a free transfer, hoping that a second spell in Turin would allow him to rediscover the form that had made him such a highly sought-after player earlier in his career.

Unfortunately, his comeback in Italy was severely disrupted by a doping ban. The suspension forced him to spend an extended period away from competitive football and represented another major setback at a crucial stage of his career.

After serving his ban, Pogba eventually looked for another opportunity to restart his career. Monaco offered him the chance to return to Ligue 1 and attempt to rebuild his reputation on familiar ground in France.

The move, however, has not produced the revival that either Pogba or Monaco would have hoped for. His fitness issues have continued, and he made only six appearances for Monaco last season. His latest injury problems have now reportedly led the club to consider ending the relationship.

Pogba’s relatively modest salary at Monaco also makes Zulay’s comments about money particularly notable. Reports suggested that he was earning around £44,000 per week, a figure far below the enormous wages associated with some of football’s biggest stars.

For Pogba, the motivation behind his return appears to have been about more than financial reward. After spending years away from the game and dealing with a series of setbacks, the opportunity to play competitive football again represented a chance to rediscover something that had defined much of his life.

Whether he can still achieve that goal remains uncertain. If Monaco terminate his contract, Pogba will once again be searching for a club willing to take a chance on a player with extraordinary talent but a complicated recent history.

At 33, he is no longer the young midfielder who dominated at Juventus or became one of the world’s most expensive players. Yet his past achievements, including his World Cup triumph with France, demonstrate the extraordinary heights he has already reached.

For now, the biggest question is whether Pogba believes he still has another chapter to write. His wife has made her position clear: retirement should be his decision, not something imposed on him by critics.

If his Monaco contract is indeed terminated, Pogba will face another crossroads in his career. He could search for a new club and attempt one more comeback, or he could eventually decide that the physical demands of professional football have become too difficult.

Whatever decision he makes, his career has already included some of football’s biggest stages, from Juventus and Manchester United to the World Cup with France. His story may be approaching another turning point, but his wife’s message is unmistakable: Pogba’s achievements should not be forgotten simply because the final years of his career have been difficult.