After 811 days away from professional football, Paul Pogba stepped back onto the pitch for AS Monaco FC — not with a goal, not with a assist, but with a quiet, tentative presence that spoke louder than any stat line. It was November 22, 2025, at the Stade Louis II in Monaco, and the French midfield maestro, once the most expensive player in history, made his long-awaited return as a second-half substitute in a Ligue 1 clash against Stade Rennais FC. The final score? 4-1 to Rennes. The narrative? Far more complicated than the scoreboard.
First Steps Back
Pogba entered the match in the 65th minute, replacing an exhausted Aurélien Tchouaméni. He played just under 10 minutes — five of them added on — and touched the ball 17 times, according to match data captured by broadcast analysts. His first touch was a soft layoff to teammate Khephren Thuram. His second, a short pass to the flank that never reached its target. There were no dazzling dribbles, no thunderous strikes. Just movement. Awareness. Caution. The commentary from the live stream, later transcribed by YouTube channel JOYA10 Edits, captured the mood: "First small steps being taken tonight. Pump on the ball and cheers around Stade Louis II. Terrific. The appreciation being shown by Monaco showing faith in him." The crowd, though thinning as the deficit grew, clapped louder when he touched the ball than when Rennes scored their third goal. It wasn’t about the result. It was about the return.The Ban and the Break
Pogba’s absence wasn’t voluntary. He was suspended for 811 days after testing positive for a banned stimulant — a substance later revealed to be a metabolite of a common over-the-counter supplement, not a performance-enhancing drug. His original four-year ban, handed down by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September 2023, was reduced by five months after he cooperated with investigators and provided evidence of unintentional ingestion. His last official match before the ban? A 2-1 win over Lille on September 4, 2023. That day, he played 87 minutes, scored a goal, and celebrated with his arms raised. On November 22, 2025, he barely touched the ball before the final whistle. His return was never supposed to be this quiet. After leaving Juventus in 2022 and a brief, turbulent stint at Manchester United, Pogba was expected to revive his career in Monaco under then-coach Adrián Herter — the name "Adi Herter" in commentary was a mispronunciation. Herter, who had rebuilt Monaco’s midfield philosophy around possession and vertical transitions, was reportedly stepping down just days after Pogba’s debut, citing personal reasons. The timing was awkward. The optics, worse.
The Team in Turmoil
Monaco, once champions of Ligue 1 in 2023, are now adrift. After a 4-1 home defeat to Rennes — their third loss in four games — they sit 11th in the table. The goals came from Rennes’ dynamic duo: Randal Kolo Muani (two) and Adrien Truffert (one), with a late penalty from substitute Youssouf Fofana sealing it. Monaco’s offense, once lethal under Niko Kovač, has collapsed. Their top scorer this season? A 21-year-old academy product with five goals in 14 appearances. Pogba’s return didn’t fix anything. But it didn’t break anything either. His presence didn’t spark a comeback. It didn’t galvanize the defense. But it did draw attention — to the club, to the league, to the lingering question: Can a fallen star still matter?What Comes Next
Monaco’s next match? A home fixture against Paris Saint-Germain — the very team Pogba once tormented with his explosive runs and silky passes. The match is scheduled for November 29, 2025. If he plays, it won’t be for a few minutes. It’ll be for 70. Or 90. The club’s new interim coach, former Lyon captain Sylvain Ripoll, has hinted at a more central role. "We don’t bring him back to watch," Ripoll told reporters. "We bring him back to play. But we won’t rush him. He’s not a solution. He’s a possibility." The football world is watching. Not because he’s likely to win the Ballon d’Or again. But because his story is human. He’s not a villain. Not a hero. Just a 27-year-old man trying to reclaim what he lost — not just his career, but his identity.
The Bigger Picture
Pogba’s return is a mirror for modern football. It’s about redemption. It’s about second chances. It’s about how quickly fans and clubs forget when a player falls — and how eagerly they remember when he tries to rise. His 811-day absence isn’t just a number. It’s 27 months of isolation. Of missed birthdays. Of watching teammates lift trophies he once dreamed of. Of being asked, over and over, "Are you coming back?" He didn’t answer with a goal. He answered with a touch. A pass. A nod to the crowd. And for now, that’s enough.Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Paul Pogba banned for 811 days?
Pogba received an initial four-year ban from the World Anti-Doping Agency after testing positive for a banned stimulant metabolite linked to a common supplement. His suspension was reduced by five months after he cooperated with investigators and proved the ingestion was unintentional, not performance-driven. The 811-day period reflects this reduced sanction.
Where did Pogba play his last match before the ban?
Pogba’s last professional appearance before his suspension was on September 4, 2023, for Juventus in a 2-1 Serie A win over Lille. He played 87 minutes and scored a goal. He was not under contract with Monaco at that time — he joined them in the summer of 2025 after his ban was confirmed.
Was the broadcast’s mention of "Rosan Park" a mistake?
Yes. The home stadium of AS Monaco is the Stade Louis II, located in the Fontvieille district of Monaco. "Rosan Park" was a misstatement by broadcast commentators, likely due to audio confusion or mishearing. Multiple sources, including the BBC and Ligue 1’s official match report, confirm the correct venue.
What’s the significance of Pogba’s next match against Paris Saint-Germain?
Paris Saint-Germain is the club where Pogba once played for two seasons (2012–2016) and became a global icon. A return to face them — especially under new management and with his career on the line — carries emotional weight. It’s not just another fixture; it’s a symbolic test of whether he can still compete at the highest level against the best.
How did fans react to Pogba’s return?
Despite Monaco’s heavy loss, the crowd applauded Pogba every time he touched the ball. Social media trends showed #PogbaBack trending in France, Belgium, and Senegal. Many fans posted throwback clips of his 2013–2016 Juventus performances. While some criticized the club for giving him a chance, the overwhelming sentiment was one of cautious hope — not for glory, but for humanity.
Is Pogba likely to play regularly for Monaco now?
Unlikely in the short term. Monaco’s midfield is crowded with young talents like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Youssouf Fofana, and Pogba’s fitness remains unproven beyond 10-minute bursts. His role will likely be as a rotational option — a veteran presence in high-stakes games, not a starter. His value now isn’t in stats, but in mentorship and marketability.
