Paul Pogba Returns to the Pitch After More Than Two Years Out

Paul Pogba has finally made his long-awaited return to professional football. The French midfielder stepped onto the pitch in the 85th minute of Rennes vs Monaco, marking his first Ligue 1 appearance and his first competitive match in more than two years. The game ended in a 4–1 win for Rennes, but the moment belonged to Pogba.

Pogba’s last official match took place on September 3, 2023, during Empoli vs Juventus in Serie A. Since then, he had been sidelined due to a lengthy doping suspension and a long period of rehabilitation.

His return received an emotional reaction from the crowd at Roazhon Park, where fans stood to applaud him as he substituted Mamadou Coulibaly late in the match. For Pogba, who began his youth career in Le Havre before joining Manchester United at 16, this was also the first Ligue 1 appearance of his senior career.

The midfielder had been suspended for four years by Italy’s anti-doping tribunal after testing positive for DHEA, a substance that increases testosterone levels. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the suspension to eighteen months after determining that the violation had been unintentional. Pogba was cleared to play again in March.

At the end of June, he signed with Monaco, who planned a three month rehabilitation program to help him regain full fitness. During his introductory press conference, Pogba explained that he wanted to return carefully and not rush the process.

“I am determined and I want to return to the pitch,” he said. “But I cannot rush. Sometimes the child inside you wants things instantly, but Monaco told me to take the necessary time. I want to be at one hundred percent to help the team, not at fifty percent.”

On Saturday, the moment finally arrived. After two years, two months and nineteen days away from competitive football, Paul Pogba was back on the field, greeted with applause and emotion.