Topics: Paul Pogba, AS Monaco, Ligue 1, Football, Fan Reactions
Fans have offered their verdict after Paul Pogba made his first appearance in over two years during AS Monaco’s 4-1 loss against Stade Rennais.
Ahead of the Ligue 1 clash, Pogba, 32, had not played since September 3 2022, when he featured for Juventus against Empoli.
Since then, the former Manchester United man has been serving a doping ban.
The Frenchman initially received a four-year ban 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, following a doping test in August 2023.
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The ban was reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The 2018 World Cup winner has maintained that the product entered his body by mistake via a supplement he did not know contained a banned substance.
Pogba was allowed to return to football in March of this year and signed a two-year deal with AS Monaco in June.
And after 811 days, the midfielder finally returned to the pitch on Saturday (November 22), coming on as an 85th-minute substitute with his side already 4-0 down before Mika Biereth scored a consolation goal in second-half stoppage time.
His debut for the club was also his first-ever Ligue 1 appearance despite being born in France and having previously represented Le Havre at academy level.
So, how did he do?
Of course, as previously mentioned, he was on the pitch for just over 10 minutes, but this was still enough to get fans talking.
At one point he sprayed one of his trademark long-range passes to one of his teammates.
Supporters were quick to react on social media.
One said: “He played like 5 mins and still showed quality smh bro is about to go insane and get his spot back on the France World Cup team.”
Another added: “That 7-minute cameo of Pogba, just pure brilliance, he transcends what it means to be a midfielder, truly one of the greatest to ever do it.”
A third claimed: “Watching Pogba ping those balls on his return. I missed this.”
While a fourth commented: “Paul Pogba is back… after everything he’s been through.
“They tried to write him off, but you can’t erase a player who gave football so many magical moments.
“Seeing him smile and touch the ball again just feels right.
“Welcome back, Pogba. Football missed you.”
Pogba could feature in the Champions League when Monaco travel to Cyprus to face Pafos on November 26. He has not played in the competition since March 2022, when he featured for United against Atletico Madrid.
