Pogba makes first Monaco appearance 811 days after last Juventus game

Former Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba made his return to competitive football today for AS Monaco, 811 days since his last appearance.

The 32-year-old came off the bench as a substitute this evening in his team’s 4-1 Ligue 1 defeat away to Stade Rennes, replacing Mamadou Coulibaly at the 85th minute.

It was an emotional moment for the France international, who had not played for 811 days.

He had made just two appearances for Juventus in the 2023-24 campaign, both as a substitute in the 1-1 draw with Bologna on August 27 and the 2-0 win away to Empoli on September 3, 2023.

Pogba failed a standard doping test and was initially given a four-year suspension, but it was reduced to 18 months on appeal.

He terminated his contract with Juventus by mutual consent on November 15, 2024, and just over a year on he made his return to the field.

This was his first game in the AS Monaco jersey, after 233 for Manchester United and 190 at Juventus in two different stints.

It also means he is on track to potentially play for Monaco against Juventus in the Champions League on January 28, 2026.