Pogba Returns after long ban as the French midfielder makes his first appearance in over two years during Monaco’s 4–1 loss to Rennes in Ligue 1

Paul Pogba made his first professional appearance in more than two years on Saturday, coming off the bench during Monaco’s 4–1 defeat to Rennes as the French star completed an emotional return to competitive football.

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According to BBC Sport, the 32-year-old entered the match in the 85th minute at Roazhon Park with Monaco already trailing heavily and down to ten men after captain Denis Zakaria was sent off.

Pogba, who broke down in tears upon signing for Monaco last summer, has been working his way back into the game after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced his four-year doping ban to 19 months.

His last competitive appearance came 811 days earlier, for Juventus in a Serie A fixture against Empoli on 3 September 2023. The midfielder eventually left Juventus by mutual consent in November 2024.

The former Manchester United player was initially handed a provisional four-year ban after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in August 2023.

Pogba maintained the substance entered his system unknowingly through a supplement, and he was cleared to return to football in March following the CAS ruling.

From the bench, Pogba watched Rennes surge ahead through goals from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo and Ludovic Blas.

Substitute Mika Biereth scored a late consolation for Monaco in stoppage time, but the defeat marked a second straight 4–1 loss for Sebastien Pocognoli’s side.

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Monaco now sit eighth in Ligue 1 with 20 points from 13 games, leaving Pogba’s return overshadowed by a difficult afternoon for the club.