What They Said: Monaco present Paul Pogba, Eric Dier, and Ansu Fati
It was a bustling at AS Monaco's La Turbie training ground last week. Reporters from across Europe had made their way to the principality for the unveiling of three high-profile signings who'll join Les Monégasques for the 2025-2026 season. Former England international Eric Dier was presented along with Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati, with the much anticipated return of football for Paul Pogba being the main event in the press room alongside Monaco CEO Thiago Scuro.
The scene was set, the world's media were ready, with more than 50 French and international journalists in attendance. Monaco’s social media platforms have registered close to 350 million views and impressions around the trio’s arrivals in recent days - but now was the time for them to speak in their own terms on their arrival to the club.
Paul Pogba's emotional return to football
Tears of emotion and joy. A scene of a person that has done everything to get his career back on track. Paul Pogba signed for AS Monaco in an emotional signing video - the France 2018 World Cup winner has not played for almost 22 months, choosing Ligue 1 McDonald's and Monaco as his platform to return to the beautiful game.
"It’s true that I was overwhelmed with emotion at that moment. I must say that it’s very rare to see me cry like that," said Pogba during his unveiling press conference. A lot of images that came to mind, in relation to what I went through."
Pogba was sidelined for over a year with a doping ban which was eventually lifted on appeal and subsequently reduced to 18 months. The Frenchman took his time to make his next move.
"So to come back and sign for AS Monaco, for a club that believed in me, all of that came back to me at the moment of my signing, which meant that I couldn’t hold back. But above all, it was a moment of joy! But I also feel a lot of determination in me, and I think I made the best choice in coming here."
INSIDE: Behind the scenes of Paul Pogba's arrival at Monaco
'Experience, maturity, personality' - Eric Dier looking to give Monaco a new edge
With over 400 matches in his career spent at Tottenham and Bayern Munich, Eric Dier arrives at Stade Louis II as one of the most experienced members of Adi Hütter's youthful squad. Experience? That's indispensable for a club that will be once again competing with the very best in the UEFA Champions League next season.
"I'm an experienced player, and I'm here to help the team improve. I'm joining an attractive squad that includes many very promising young players," explained Dier at his press conference.
"I still want to play for England. I currently have 49 caps, and to be honest, (being stuck at that number) frustrates me! So I hope to reach 50. To do that, I’ll have to perform well at club level, which remains my primary goal."
Ansu Fati, the La Masia kid lands in the principality
A similar theme could be picked up for Ansu Fati, who arrived from Barcelona last Tuesday on loan - joining the long list of players who have represented both Monaco and Barça. The La Masia graduate made 123 professional appearances for the Catalan side, and broke through as one of the most promising talents in world football. For him, the principality will also be a means of re-finding a rhythm and consistency to match his undeniable talent.
"I'd like to rediscover my consistency at AS Monaco, to try to be in the best possible shape," said Fati during his press conference. "I can’t control everything that happens to my body, but I’m certainly trying to minimise the risks. I’m definitely giving my all and fighting to get back to my best level. Of course, I’m here to find the best physical condition to play football; that’s what I’m trying to do."
"I consider Ligue 1 to be one of the best leagues in Europe; you only have to look at the last Champions League winner to see that. Some of the best players in the world were trained in this league."
READ MORE:
>>Paul Pogba joins AS Monaco!
