More than a year and a half after his last competitive match, Paul Pogba is considering a comeback. D.C. United is working to ensure that if it happens in MLS, it happens in Washington.
The Eastern Conference club owns Pogba’s MLS discovery rights, giving them exclusive negotiating power. According to reports, D.C. United executives, including CEO Jason Levien, have been engaged in discussions with the 32-year-old World Cup winner for months. Levien has spoken multiple times with Pogba’s representatives and met the player in person. Contract proposals have been exchanged, signaling a serious intent from both sides.
Pogba’s return to soccer comes after an 18-month suspension for testing positive for DHEA, a banned substance that boosts testosterone levels. Initially banned by the Italian anti-doping agency for four years, Pogba’s suspension was reduced after an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024, leaving him a free agent by the time he was cleared to play in March.
Since then, Pogba has been training individually in Miami, where he owns a home, and exploring offers from clubs in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. D.C. United’s exclusive MLS rights mean that any league rival interested in Pogba must trade for those rights before negotiating.
D.C. to make high-stakes bet?
If D.C. United lands Pogba, which would require using a Designated Player spot, he will join Christian Benteke and Mateusz Klich on their DP list. Klich was loaned to Atlanta United, freeing roster flexibility, but he still officially occupies a slot.
The gamble is clear. Pogba’s name carries enormous marketing weight, boosted by a 10-year, $44 million endorsement deal with Adidas, a key MLS sponsor. Yet he has not played a full match since March 2022 and has been absent from competitive action since September 2023. Some D.C. faithful remain skeptical, worrying that signing another high-profile name past his prime might spark ticket sales but not change the team’s trajectory.
D.C. United, sitting 13th in the East with a 2-5-3 record, could use the buzz and the boost. However, the question remains whether Pogba can offer more than headlines with his body and brand battered by time and controversy.
A decision on his future is expected soon. For D.C. United, it could either mark a revival or another costly detour.
