"Paul Pogba is not dead"... Determined to return to the top level, the 2018 world champion was presented by AS Monaco

Paul, we saw you were very emotional when you signed your contract. What were you thinking at that precise moment?

It's true that there was a lot of emotion and it's very rare to see me cry like that. I hope you enjoyed it (laughs) . There were a lot of images in my head: my suspension for doping, my injuries etc... Everything came back. Coming back and signing for a club that believed in me, I couldn't hold back. It was a moment of joy too. What I'm going through is important to me. I have a lot of determination.

Is your arrival generating excitement and expectation? When will you be 100% ready?

I saw and received a lot of messages that touched me. It made me happy to see this support, especially from the fans. I'm mentally and physically well. Here, there's a very good structure, a very good energy and people who will help me get back to my best level. You know me, I'm determined to come back and rediscover the pleasure I had lost. I want to get back on the pitch, but with patience. I mustn't be in too much of a hurry. Sometimes kids want things too quickly. We'll take the time we need. At 50%, I won't help the team as much as I should. If I listen to myself, I can be on the pitch tomorrow (smile) , but I'm going to listen to the club. I can't wait to feel the pitch and the balls, to touch this lawn, but it will take as long as it takes.

"My dream is to see my children celebrate one of my goals with a dab."

What was your daily life like for two years away from football?

I dropped the kids off at school, I was a very hands-on dad. I went to work out and then picked the kids up from school (laughs) . I spent a lot of time with my family. And when I traveled, I did it with my fitness coach. I tried not to lose three days of training and to be fit.

Were there any doubts at times?

Of course. There were moments of doubt when, in my head, there were angels and devils. On one side, there were positive thoughts: "You'll get back to it." On the other, it was negative, "Maybe not, it's over." But my family, and especially my wife, pushed me. They told me: "You'll get back to it. Paul, don't worry, it'll be fine." I stayed focused and kept my head turned towards the future. A year ago, I told Sky : "Paul Pogba is not dead." Today, a goal has been achieved, I signed for a club. I feel like a kid who has just signed a professional contract. My dream is to see my children celebrate one of my goals with a dab (smile) . That's what kept me disciplined and I'm happy to be back in the job I love. I'm grateful for everything that's happened in my life, it's helped me grow and see what real life is like and what can happen in it. I have no revenge to take on anyone. I'm going to get back on track and do what I love most in the world.

Is it the hardest or the most difficult one that begins?

I'd like to say it's the easiest. I'm surrounded by players and a good structure. Training alone, at any time, hasn't been easy. Sometimes you don't really want to, you're lazy, but I knew a club could call me at any time.

Have you been helped by a psychologist to overcome your worries of the last two years?

I was able to talk to several people who helped me see things in the present, so as not to think about the past or the future. I followed this advice and signed with a club. It's up to me to live day by day. Everything will come back with time.

"You're going to see a determined Paul."

You say you're more sober. Why?

In 2018, I was 25, and now I'm 32 with three kids. I want to be focused on the pitch; that's all I care about. I still love the clothes, the dancing, and the haircuts. I'm still the same Paul Pogba, but I'm more determined. You'll see a determined Paul.

You're going to discover L1 at 32, that's not common...

Ligue 1 has always been a great league. It's top-level with a lot of potential and the best talent. I'm going to discover it; I'm also watching it. In recent years, I've seen PSG's strong dominance with great players, but Monaco and Lille have also won the title in recent years. I'm very excited to be part of this Ligue 1 and to raise its level even higher. It's a good challenge.

Are you thinking about competing with Paris?

I don't want to play to lose, now there will be matches to play. When you feel the energy and you see this group... It's been two years since they've been on the podium. I want to bring that little extra touch to win. But, for now, it's a dream. PSG is perhaps the best team in Europe right now. It's a good challenge for me and the other players who have arrived. We believe in it and that's also why we're here.

"It's up to me to perform well and earn my place in the French team."

What did you say to yourself when you saw that the first Ligue 1 match would be against Le Havre, your training club, on the weekend of August 15?

I hope to be there for the match against Le Havre, it would be a great story, my training club (a desire that the GM Thiago Scuro tempered a little later) . It motivated me even more but I don't have a date, I can't read the future. Playing this match would be a great joy. Frankly, all I can say is that the club has made me an XXL program, just for me. My body and my physique have taken a hit for two years. We will have to find the intensity of the professional level. When they tell me it's good, I will be on the field.

Have you ever discussed your role with the coach?

Yes, we had a good discussion with the coach about his system and the position I could play. It was beneficial for both of us. I told him I'd like to watch last year's games to adapt properly. It's important for me to understand my teammates' movements. We're starting to understand each other. I've played a bit everywhere, at six, eight, or ten. I can adapt; it will depend on where I can contribute the most.

What do you know about the current squad?

These are my first days, and it's a little strange because I'm the oldest at the club (laughs). I already hope to contribute on a daily basis, to see how everyone works, to see them in training. I already know a few players, I've played with them. I've already spoken with a few players to whom I've already given little tips. It's my nature. I will continue to give them if I have this honor and if I'm given the space to do so. There's already a very good captain in Denis (Zakaria). I also know Thilo who is experienced. Dier is also one of the veterans and he will be able to help.

Before arriving in Monaco, did you talk about the club with Kylian Mbappé, Djibril Sidibé or Patrice Evra?

I spoke with Kylian Mbappé, Benjamin Mendy and Geoffrey Kondogbia. I also had a good video chat with Carlos (Avina, the technical director) and Thiago Scuro. I felt a very good energy, a good project, which pushed me to visit the Performance Center. Monaco is what I needed today. I'm really happy to be here today. If my head is good, I think it will be good on the pitch and in my body. When that's not the case, there can be problems everywhere. My program is also to be good in my head and my body to be free as a bird.

You also want to return to the French national team. Have you spoken with Didier Deschamps yet?

I had him on the phone. He told me: "It's good, you've signed for Monaco, you can come back whenever you want" (laughs) . No, I'm joking. The wish of every football player is to play for the French team. I'm at stage 1 and there are places to be won. You have to earn them because there's a great squad and a great team. It's up to me to perform and earn my place. There's no countdown. The first step is to get back on the pitch for my team to play with my club. It's possible that the coach won't take me either, even if I score 30 goals in the season. The French team remains a dream and a bonus for me.

You have a special aura, how do you intend to handle the pressure that Monaco is likely to face, which is unusual for the club?

You know, ever since I was 16, when I left Le Havre, it's always been like this for me. It touches me to see so many people present for my presentation. But the pressure... We're football players, there will be praise after good matches and goals and criticism afterward. It's a package when you sign pro, you sign with that. The pressure was knowing if I would still have the opportunity to play football. Now, it's just a plus.