Paul Pogba: France Star ‘Gutted’ Despite Making Long-Awaited Comeback as Monaco Thrashed at Rennes
Paul Pogba’s long-awaited return to competitive football was a moment filled with mixed emotions. After more than two years away from the pitch due to a doping ban, the World Cup winner finally made his comeback for Monaco in Ligue 1. However, despite the personal milestone, the match ended in disappointment as Monaco was soundly defeated 4-1 by Rennes. Pogba’s candid reflections reveal the complex feelings surrounding this significant chapter of his career.
Pogba’s Return After a Lengthy Ban
It has been over 19 months since Pogba last played in an official match, following a reduced doping ban initially set for four years. The 32-year-old, once the world’s most expensive footballer, rejoined competitive action on Saturday, stepping onto the pitch as an 85th-minute substitute. While the time on the field was brief, it marked a crucial step in his journey back to full fitness.
Pogba expressed a blend of happiness and disappointment after the game. “There were a lot of emotions. I was happy, but there’s a bit of sadness with the result,” he told Ligue 1+. This statement encapsulates the bittersweet nature of his comeback — achieving a personal goal yet facing the harsh realities of professional sport.
The Emotional Reality: “It Felt Strange” to Return
One of the most striking parts of Pogba’s comeback narrative is the emotional adjustment required after such a long hiatus. He admitted, “It felt strange at first to be back on the plane with the group.” This highlights how much time away from the squad and routines affected him. Nevertheless, Pogba emphasized his positive integration, saying he had “settled in well” and praised the team spirit within Monaco.
These remarks hint at the psychological challenges elite athletes face after long absences — not just physical recovery but mentally reconnecting with a team environment and regaining match sharpness takes time.
Focus on Fitness and Future Goals
Pogba is clear about his immediate priorities: regaining full fitness and gradually working up to playing 90 minutes again. “I still need time to get fit and play 90 minutes. But that will come with time,” he said. Evidence of his commitment was visible in his participation during training sessions and the structured process Monaco has implemented to ease him back into top-flight football.
Monaco’s manager, Sebastien Pocognoli, expressed confidence in Pogba’s qualities, praising his vision, technique, and leadership. The coach believes that Pogba’s skill set remains intact and that his experience will be invaluable to strengthen the team moving forward, even if adapting to the current pace of competition might take some time.
National Team Ambitions and the Road Ahead
Despite the current focus on club football, Pogba has not ruled out a return to the French national team, which could hopefully come ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA and Mexico. He cautiously framed his international ambitions around gradual progress, stating, “The World Cup is a long way off … If I were to do the World Cup, it would be a bonus.”
This realistic approach underscores his understanding of the physical and competitive demands required to make a sustained impact at the highest level once again.
The Context: From Manchester United to Monaco
Pogba’s journey to Monaco marks a new chapter after a difficult period without a club. His last stint at Manchester United ended turbulently, and the doping ban — linked to a banned substance he claims he ingested unknowingly — complicated his return to football even further.
Signing with Monaco on a free transfer this June offered him a fresh start and the chance to rebuild his career. However, Pogba has had to follow an intensive training program to prepare for Ligue 1’s rigorous demands after such a long break.
Conclusion
Paul Pogba’s comeback for Monaco is a story of resilience, patience, and hope. While the 4-1 defeat to Rennes was a tough reminder of the challenges ahead, the significance of Pogba stepping back onto the pitch cannot be overstated. His honest reflections reveal a player who is both proud of what he has achieved so far and motivated to improve.
As he continues to regain full fitness, the football world will be watching closely to see whether this World Cup winner can once again shine at both club and international levels. For now, though, Pogba’s focus remains firmly on taking gradual steps forward — ready to face whatever obstacles come next.# Paul Pogba: Emotional Return Marred by Monaco’s Heavy Defeat at Rennes
Paul Pogba’s return to competitive football after a lengthy absence has been a rollercoaster of emotions. More than two years since the World Cup-winning midfielder last graced the pitch in a competitive match, the France star finally made his comeback for AS Monaco in their Ligue 1 clash against Rennes. Although the result was far from ideal, the significance of Pogba stepping back onto the field cannot be overstated.
Paul Pogba’s Long-Awaited Comeback: A Mixed Bag of Emotions
Stepping onto the pitch as an 85th-minute substitute, Paul Pogba’s first game back was a bittersweet moment. The 32-year-old midfielder, who had been sidelined due to a doping ban, expressed his feelings openly after the game. “There were a lot of emotions. I was happy, but there’s a bit of sadness with the result,” Pogba told Ligue 1+. After such a long wait, it was a major milestone for him, although Monaco suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat at Rennes.
The intensity of the emotions was tangible. Pogba described the experience as “strange at first to be back on the plane with the group,” but he quickly adjusted, highlighting how well he has integrated into the Monaco squad. “We have a very good group. We’re getting back into the right routine.” For Pogba, being back in the fold with teammates and returning to professional football was a significant psychological step forward.
The Road Back: From a Doping Ban to Fitness Challenges
Paul Pogba’s journey to this return has been far from straightforward. In February 2024, the former Manchester United record signing tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a banned substance. Despite claiming he unknowingly ingested a supplement containing the substance, he faced a doping ban initially set at four years but later reduced to 19 months.
During his time out, Pogba entered an intensive training regimen intended to help him regain his match fitness and sharpness. His physical condition, understandably, required time to build up again, especially to handle the rigors of top-flight football.
●Here’s a funny, harmless, true-to-life Pogba moment fans still laugh about:
😂 Pogba’s “Invisible Wall” Prank
During his time at Manchester United, Paul Pogba loved messing around during training.
One day, cameras caught him building an “invisible wall” just before a teammate took a free kick in training.
He stood there with a serious face, arms crossed like an actual wall…
…then the moment the ball was kicked, he dramatically pretended to get hit and threw himself to the ground.
The entire squad burst out laughing — even the coaches.
Classic Pogba: huge talent, even bigger entertainer.
😂 Bonus: Pogba vs. the Sprinklers
Another fan-favorite moment happened when the training pitch sprinklers suddenly turned on.
Most players jogged off…
…but Pogba sprinted across the field like he was escaping a tsunami, waving his arms and yelling dramatically.
The clip went viral, because only Pogba could turn running from sprinklers into comedy.
