Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has finally ended his 811-day exile from professional football, making his AS Monaco debut in a disappointing 4-1 defeat against Rennes on Saturday evening.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Pitch
Paul Pogba entered the fray as a 80th-minute substitute for Monaco, marking his first competitive appearance since receiving a four-year doping ban that was later reduced to 18 months on appeal. The World Cup winner had been sidelined for over two years due to the suspension and subsequent fitness issues.
The French international entered the match with his new team trailing 4-0 after goals from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo and Ludovic Bias had put Rennes firmly in control at the Stade Louis II.
Mixed Emotions for Returning Star
Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone after the match, Pogba expressed his conflicting feelings about the landmark occasion. "I was disappointed to lose this match," Pogba told RMC Sport. "It's Paul Pogba's return, but I play for Monaco, and I don't like losing."
The 32-year-old revealed his appreciation for the warm reception from supporters, stating: "It touched me, the reception. Seeing the crowd stand up and applaud, I wasn't expecting that. A big thank you to the fans who personally supported me."
Despite the disappointing result, Pogba acknowledged the personal significance of his return: "I'm relieved to be back playing football, what I love most in the world. There's still work to do to get back to full fitness."
Statistical Breakdown of Brief Appearance
During his ten-minute cameo, Pogba registered:
- 17 touches of the ball
- 14 completed passes from 15 attempts
- 2 ball recoveries
- 1 interception
Former Arsenal forward Mika Biereth managed to pull one goal back for Monaco deep into stoppage time, but it proved nothing more than a consolation in the comprehensive defeat.
Monaco manager Sebastien Pocognoli had hinted at Pogba's potential return during his pre-match press conference, noting the midfielder had responded well to training and match-condition tests.
Pogba joined Monaco as a free agent in June 2025 after his contract with Juventus was terminated following his doping ban. His initial comeback was scheduled against Paris FC earlier this month, but a minor injury forced a delay.
The Frenchman now aims to build towards full fitness and potentially feature in the Champions League for the first time in over three-and-a-half years. Monaco face Cypriot side Pafos next Tuesday before a crucial Ligue 1 encounter against defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
