Thirty-two-year-old French footballer Paul Pogba will return to the pitch after more than two years out and will be in Monaco’s squad for the game against Rennes in the French elite championship on Saturday.
A member of France’s 2018 World Cup gold squad, he has played just 12 games over the past three seasons due to injuries, a suspension due to doping and an extortion case in which he was the victim.
Pogba failed a doping test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and was cleared a four-year playing banwhich was later reduced to 18 months.
However, the Italian giants terminated his contract last November, prematurely ending an ill-fated second spell in Turin, which has been marred by injuries and other problems.
In 2024 his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for two years, for his role in the conspiracy to extortion of 13 million euros by Paul Pogba in 2022.
Monaco decided to take a chance on him when he became available again after his suspension expired in March.
Pogba signed for the club from the principality before this season but was initially sidelined as he followed specially designed plan to get his body back in shape for elite competition.
His return was delayed twice due to injuries sustained this fallbut after winning four Serie A titles with Juventus and the 2017 Europa League with Manchester United, Pogba will now play club football in his homeland for the first time in his professional career.
He is unlikely to start at Roazhon Park against Rennes, but Sebastien Pocognoli could introduce him in the closing stages, according to AFP.
(Hina | Photo: X)
