Wait. Let's just clear something up right away. You’ve probably seen the photos. Paul Pogba in South Beach, looking sharp in the Florida sun, laughing with David Beckham, or training at the same facility as Lionel Messi. It feels like a done deal, right? The "Pogback" to the USA.
But as of January 2026, the reality is a lot more complicated than the Instagram reels suggest.
Honestly, the Paul Pogba Inter Miami rumors have been a whirlwind of half-truths. While the French superstar has been living and training in Miami for a significant chunk of time, his professional status is currently tied to a different continent. If you're looking for him on the pitch right now, you won’t find him in the pink and black of the Herons.
The Current State of Play: Is He Actually at Inter Miami?
No. He isn't. Not officially.
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Despite the heavy speculation that dominated the 2025 transfer windows, Paul Pogba signed a two-year contract with AS Monaco in Ligue 1 back in June 2025. He chose a return to France over the MLS allure, largely because he was desperate to prove himself to Didier Deschamps for the 2026 World Cup.
However, the reason everyone is still talking about Paul Pogba Inter Miami is that his time in Monaco has been, well, a disaster.
- Total minutes played: Roughly 30.
- Matches: 3 substitute appearances.
- Current status: Sidelined with a persistent calf injury.
Just this week, Monaco’s CEO Thiago Scuro admitted that "the plan isn't working." The club is ninth in the league, and they are openly frustrated. Pogba is frustrated. When a high-earning superstar isn't playing, people start looking for the exit door. And that door usually leads back to Miami.
Why the Paul Pogba Inter Miami Rumors Won't Die
You can't blame fans for being confused. Pogba basically lived in Miami during his doping ban. He was spotted in the VIP boxes at Chase Stadium alongside Serena Williams and Eva Longoria. He was even working out with Messi’s personal trainers.
Beckham and Pogba have a long history. They share the Manchester United DNA. They share the "global brand" DNA. It makes sense on paper.
In early 2025, betting sites had Inter Miami as the 9/4 favorites to sign him. There were reports that Messi himself had requested the board to bring in Pogba as a creative engine in the midfield. But MLS roster rules are a nightmare. Inter Miami already has their Designated Player (DP) slots largely locked up with the "Barcelona quartet."
Basically, for Pogba to join, he’d likely have to take a massive pay cut or Inter Miami would need to perform some serious "TAM/GAM" financial gymnastics. It's not impossible, but it's a lot of paperwork for a player who hasn't played 90 minutes of competitive football in over two years.
The Doping Ban and the "Florida Supplement"
Here’s a detail people often gloss over. The reason Pogba’s 4-year ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) actually involves Florida.
Pogba argued that his ingestion of DHEA (the banned substance) was unintentional. He claimed it came from a supplement prescribed by a doctor in—you guessed it—Florida. The CAS panel actually found his evidence "unopposed" for the most part, allowing him to return to training in January 2025.
Because his legal and medical team were centered in the U.S., he spent his "exile" there. That’s why the Paul Pogba Inter Miami connection feels so permanent. For him, Miami was the place where he fought for his career.
Can He Still Join Messi in 2026?
The short answer? Yes, but probably not until the summer.
Monaco has hinted at specific clauses in his contract that could allow for an early termination or a transfer if his fitness doesn't improve by the end of the 2025-26 season. With the World Cup looming in June, Pogba is running out of time. If he can't get fit for Monaco, his dream of playing for France in 2026 is dead.
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If that happens, a "twilight" move to Inter Miami becomes the most logical step. He could join the likes of Olivier Giroud and Hugo Lloris in the MLS retirement-as-rebranding phase.
What to Watch For:
- Contract Termination: If Monaco and Pogba agree to part ways this January or February, keep an eye on DC United. They actually hold his "Discovery Rights" in the MLS, meaning Miami would have to pay them a fee just for the right to talk to him.
- Fitness Reports: If he continues to miss games for Monaco through February, the European chapter is likely over.
- The "Beckham Factor": Watch David Beckham’s social media. Usually, a "casual" dinner photo is the first real sign that a deal is being cooked behind the scenes.
Pogba is 32. In football years, with his injury history, that’s 38. He’s a player who relies on fluidity and power, two things that injuries steal first.
The Paul Pogba Inter Miami story isn't over—it’s just on a very long, very frustrating hiatus in the South of France. Whether he ever actually wears the pink jersey depends entirely on whether his body can handle one last dance.
If you are tracking this move, the key dates to watch are the MLS primary transfer window closing in April and the European season finale in May. If he isn't a regular starter for Monaco by then, expect the Miami rumors to turn into a full-blown "Here We Go" announcement.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Stop checking the Inter Miami roster for him just yet; he is still registered with AS Monaco.
- Monitor Ligue 1 injury reports; a return to fitness in France is the only thing currently keeping him away from Florida.
- Check MLS Discovery Lists; if Miami trades for his rights from DC United, that is the "smoking gun" that a contract is being drafted.