PAUL POGBA RETURNS TO PITCH FOR MONACO PROFESSIONAL DEBUT TONIGHT
Paul Pogba made his emotional return to football for Monaco after a doping ban, playing in a 4-1 defeat to Rennes. The ex-Man United star aims to regain fitness and dreams of a 2026 World Cup call with France.
The timing was unable to alter the outcome, as Monaco found themselves down 4-0 against Rennes. The match was marred by a poor defensive showing and a red card received by their captain, Denis Zakaria, before the halftime break. Despite entering the game under such dire circumstances, Pogba's symbolic return captured more attention than the actual score. Mika Biereth managed to score a consolation goal in the dying minutes of the match, yet Monaco's defeat, marking their second consecutive 4-1 loss, left Sebastien Pocognoli's team in eighth place in Ligue 1. For Pogba, this evening was less about the score and more about returning to the sport he cherishes.
From suspension to a fresh start
Pogba's return followed a tumultuous phase that nearly cut short his career. In August 2023, while he was with Juventus, he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which resulted in an initial suspension and a four-year ban announced in February 2024. He maintained that the positive test stemmed from inadvertently taking a tainted supplement, a stance successfully supported by his legal team, leading to a reduction of the ban and permitting his comeback in March 2025. Juventus ended his contract by mutual agreement in late 2024, leaving the 2018 World Cup champion without a club and without game time for over two years. Monaco decided to take a risk, and now Pogba is once again competing on the field.
"There were many emotions. I felt joy, but there's a touch of sadness because of the result," he shared with Ligue 1+.
"We’ve travelled a significant distance. Today was an important milestone. I achieved it, and I feel pleased. However, it’s disappointing to have lost. I'm feeling good after all the hard work I've put in. I still need time to regain full fitness and play a full 90 minutes, but that will happen gradually. We’re training for that. I aim to support the team as much as I can. It felt a bit odd at first to be back on the plane with the team, but I’ve adjusted well. We have an excellent group and are getting back into a good rhythm."
As reported by L’Equipe, Monaco's medical team plans a cautious return strategy, incrementally increasing his on-field time to ultimately achieve back-to-back 90-minute appearances with only a three-day recovery period in between. He aspires to don the French national jersey again at the 2026 World Cup, convinced that there is one final chapter with Les Bleus still to be written. With 91 caps and 11 goals to his name, Pogba sees his time in Ligue 1 as a crucial opportunity to secure a spot in Didier Deschamps's squad.
"What are my goals? Short term, to regain full fitness, play 90 minutes, and provide as much support to my team as I can," he articulated. "Right now, it’s about being a part of the team. The World Cup is still some time away. At the moment, it’s about taking things step by step. Participating in the World Cup would merely be a bonus."
Pocognoli has consistently highlighted that Pogba's contribution to Monaco is not limited to his abilities in passing or his physical skills. The Belgian coach regards Pogba as a fundamental figure within the team, serving as a guide and a link between emerging talents and the high standards of professional football.
"In one of my early discussions within the club, I addressed the importance of our heritage. I feel it is essential for leaders like Paul to impart their experiences to the younger generation, the supporters, and everyone associated with the club," he remarked. "These seasoned players need to take on mentoring roles for the newcomers. It is my responsibility to ensure their success. The greater the number of leaders we cultivate, the more evenly the pressure will be shared. If Paul is utilised wisely, the entire group stands to benefit from his presence."
Pogba's next challenge is against Pafos.
After 811 days filled with numerous medical evaluations, legal disputes, emotional challenges, and physical setbacks, Pogba has returned to the field. Currently, Monaco is positioned eighth in the league, only two points away from fourth-placed Strasbourg. Their upcoming match is against PSG in Ligue 1 on November 29, and Pogba is eager to increase his playing time. He stated, "Ultimately, it depends on the coach's decisions. I will do everything possible to contribute and support the team." The journey ahead is still extensive, but he is finally back on track.
THE HIDDEN MATH BEHIND FIFA’S $33,000 WORLD CUP FINAL TICKET PRICE SURGE
Gianni Infantino defends $32,970 ticket prices at the Milken Institute, citing the US market as the world's most developed.
FIFA just tripled the price of its top tickets for the World Cup final, now charging $32,970 for the best seats at the July 19 match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. On Thursday, those front-row “category 1” seats popped up for sale, right as members of Congress started pushing FIFA for answers about high prices and demanding more transparency on how tickets are being priced.
Before, the highest category 1 ticket for the final topped out at $10,990. Now, the only way to snag that price is if you need a wheelchair or special-access seat; otherwise, you’re looking at the new, much steeper cost.
Prices don’t stop there. For the July 14 semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Texas, seats are $11,130, $4,330, $3,710, and $2,705. The next day’s semifinal in Atlanta? $10,635, $3,545, and $2,725. U.S. group stage matches aren’t cheap either; opening night in California runs $2,735, $1,940, or $1,120 a seat. The June 19 clash against Australia in Seattle sits at $2,715. And for the finale against Türkiye back in LA, tickets range from $2,970 down to $840.
Representatives Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone Jr, both Democrats from New Jersey, fired off a letter to FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino, calling FIFA’s use of “dynamic pricing” too secretive and criticising practices that make it tough for regular fans to get seats. Their letter didn’t mince words: “We’re deeply concerned about FIFA’s opaque pricing and shifting rules. Fans are getting frustrated and feel misled. We want to know how FIFA ensures everyone can actually afford to attend and what’s being done to address these concerns.”
Gianni Infantino hasn’t backed down. On Tuesday at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, he defended his price tags. “We have to look at the market,” Infantino said. “This is the most developed entertainment market anywhere, so we charge market rates. Tickets here can legally be resold, so if you price them low, people just flip them for more. In fact, even with what some call high prices, tickets end up reselling for twice as much or more.”
He also pointed out, “You can’t go to a college game in the U.S., never mind a pro one, without spending at least $300 for a decent ticket.”
Sure, tickets for huge events like the Super Bowl or the College Football Championship can hit these levels, but scores of seats at U.S. college and pro sporting events, even the NBA playoffs, still go for under $300.
When it comes to resale, FIFA doesn’t set those prices. On its official ticket exchange, final match seats were listed Thursday from $8,970 all the way up to a wild $11,499,998.85, the latter for a spot four rows from the top in the upper deck. FIFA takes 15% of each sale from both buyer and seller. Last month, somebody listed a final ticket for $2,299,998.85.
Infantino joked about those prices: “If people list final tickets for $2 million, number one, that’s not the actual price. Number two, who’s paying that? If someone does, I’ll personally deliver them a hot dog and a Coke.”
Ticket prices aren’t the only pain point for fans. Getting to the game, especially at MetLife Stadium, has its own sticker shock. NJ Transit originally set a $150 round-trip fare from anywhere to the stadium, way up from the normal $13-ish round trip from Manhattan’s Penn Station. After plenty of backlash, they cut it down to $105, but that’s still steep.
Governor Mikie Sherrill, via her spokesperson Steve Sigmund, said she’s pushing for more corporate contributions to lower fares for fans. “The governor is grateful for the companies helping reduce costs and will keep working to make the World Cup a win for both fans and New Jersey.”
FIFA, for its part, warned that these high transit prices could dampen turnout in New Jersey, while other host cities, LA, Dallas, and Houston, aren’t hiking fares for the games.
MetLife Stadium, usually home to the Giants and Jets, will host eight World Cup matches, including the final. Group stage games for powerhouse teams like Brazil, France, Germany, and England all kick off starting June 13.
FIFA EXTENDS PRESTIANNI BAN WORLDWIDE; WINGER SET TO MISS WORLD CUP OPENERS
Gianluca Prestianni will miss games against Algeria and Austria if selected by Scaloni. Get the full disciplinary breakdown.
FIFA has extended Gianluca Prestianni’s suspension for homophobic conduct to apply globally, which could sideline him for Argentina’s first two matches at the 2026 World Cup. The winger from Benfica, initially punished after a well-publicised incident with Real Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior, will now have his ban affect not just club matches but international competitive games as well.
The disciplinary move by FIFA follows a request from UEFA, and the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has confirmed the six-match ban will take effect worldwide. According to a FIFA spokesperson, the committee agreed to broaden the suspension’s scope, impacting all levels of competitive play.
This decision carries serious implications for both Benfica and Argentina. What was once a suspension limited to UEFA competitions now bars the 20-year-old from participating in any FIFA competitive events, including the upcoming World Cup in North America.
If Prestianni makes Lionel Scaloni’s final Argentina roster for 2026, he will be forced to sit out the opening group stage games against Algeria and Austria. Despite this setback, he remains eligible for friendlies; he was actually called up earlier this year for matches against Mauritania and Zambia following his November 2025 senior debut.
While the ban totals six matches, half of those come with a two-year probationary clause. After missing a Champions League match against Real Madrid under a provisional suspension, Prestianni still has two active games left to serve. Notably, domestic games with Benfica this season are unaffected, since the worldwide ban targets only competitive international fixtures.
The incident that triggered this whole saga happened on February 17 during a Champions League knockout match at Estadio da Luz. Vinicius Junior accused Prestianni of racial abuse, prompting referee Francois Letexier to pause the game for eight minutes and activate FIFA’s anti-discrimination protocol.
Prestianni has denied these accusations and issued a statement saying he never directed racist insults at Vinicius Junior, suggesting the player misunderstood what was said. He also condemned the threats he received from Real Madrid players in the aftermath.
Despite his denials, UEFA’s investigation concluded that Prestianni engaged in discriminatory, specifically homophobic, conduct, leading to his suspension.
Questions remain about the length of the ban, as UEFA’s rules generally mandate a minimum 10-match suspension for offences against human dignity based on factors like race or sexual orientation. UEFA has not explained why the disciplinary body settled on a shorter six-match penalty.
Looking ahead, Prestianni faces a challenging path to regain standing under scrutiny. Should he violate conduct rules again within the probationary period, the remaining three matches of his ban could be enforced immediately, potentially harming his prospects with both Benfica and the Argentina national team.
