Several of Paul Pogba’s former Manchester United teammates issued messages of support following the Frenchman’s first appearance since September 2023.
Pogba, 32, had not featured in a competitive match since playing for Juventus against Empoli on September 3 2023, as he’d been serving an 18-month suspension after a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) - a substance which can boost testosterone and is on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) banned list – in February 2024.
The former Manchester United man initially received a four-year suspension from football, but this was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The 32-year-old has maintained that he did not know the substance was prohibited.
After terminating his Juve contract in November 2024, Pogba arrived at Ligue 1 side Monaco in the summer and finally, after 811 days, returned to the pitch during the team’s 4-1 defeat away at Rennes.
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Despite being introduced as a late substitute with the side already 4-0 down, thanks to strikes from Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo, and Ludovic Blas, the French international still displayed his pinpoint passing ability and did not show any obvious signs of rustiness in his short cameo.
After the match, Pogba received congratulations from several of his former teammates, including United captain Bruno Fernandes, who shared a graphic of Pogba on his Instagram story with the caption: “Pogbaaaaack.”
Bryan Mbeumo also shared a clip showing Pogba coming on, followed by heart emojis.
Pogba also took to social media and posted a 30-second clip of him entering the pitch, accompanied by the words: “Last night was unforgettable.
“Stepping back onto the pitch after two years away meant more to me than I can express. To the fans, thank you for the love, the energy, and the belief.
“To everyone who stood behind me, supported me, and pushed me through every moment of this journey, I’m deeply grateful. This debut wasn’t just mine…
“It belonged to all of you who never stopped supporting me.”
Ex-United and current Fiorentina goalkeeper De Gea also reacted with heart eyes and a holding back tears emoji, with the duo having played together 184 times.
Fans were also quick to react on social media.
One said: “Your story didn’t restart, it roared back to life. This moment was written by your power, mindset and purpose. Pogback.”
Another added: “A touching message! Returning after two years and feeling the fans’ love must have been incredible.
“Congrats on your comeback!”
A third claimed: “Back to doing what you love. No better feeling. Welcome, Pogback.”
While a fourth commented: “De Gea is so emotional for his former teammates.
“I love him man.”
Pogba could feature in the Champions League for the first time since March 2022 when Monaco travel to Cyprus to face Pafos on November 26.
Topics: Paul Pogba, Football, Manchester United, AS Monaco, Bruno Fernandes, Monaco, Ligue 1
Luke Davies