Paul Pogba Makes His Return to Football with Monaco Debut After Two-Year Absence

A Long-Awaited Comeback

Former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba made his debut for AS Monaco on Saturday, marking his first appearance in over two years. He stepped onto the field in the 85th minute of a match against Rennes, which ended in a 4-1 defeat for Monaco. The crowd at Roazhon Park welcomed him with warm applause.

Pogba, who is now 32, expressed his gratitude after the game, stating, “Football isn’t over for me. We’ve worked hard, and we’ve waited more than two years to get back, and today, it finally happened. Thank God.” He was visibly moved by the support from the fans, saying, “It really touched me to see the crowd stand and applaud. I honestly didn’t expect that, so a huge thank-you to all the fans who were there today and supported me.”

Struggles and Resilience

Once celebrated as a key player for France’s national team, Pogba’s career faced significant setbacks due to injuries, personal issues, and a doping ban. He was emotional when he signed a two-year contract with Monaco earlier this season, hoping to revive his career. After recovering from a minor ankle injury, he resumed training during the international break.

A staggering 811 days had elapsed since his previous match, which occurred on September 3, 2023, during his time with Juventus.

At the height of his career, Pogba was instrumental in France’s victory at the 2018 World Cup, scoring in the final against Croatia. He played for both Manchester United and Juventus throughout his career before leaving Juventus in November 2024.

A Troubled Journey

Pogba’s journey has been marked by high-profile moments and challenges. In 2016, he set a record as the world’s most expensive footballer when he returned to Manchester United for €105 million ($116 million). However, his career took a significant hit in February 2024 when he received a four-year ban from Italy’s anti-doping court after testing positive for testosterone. Fortunately, in October 2024, this ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“I’m relieved to be back playing football, the thing I love most in the world,” Pogba shared. He acknowledged the road ahead, stating, “But there’s still work to do to get back to full fitness, play 90 minutes, and help the team as much as possible.”