StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

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.

Paul Pogba Returns To Pitch For Monaco Professional Debut Tonight
Pogba Returns After 800 Days

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.

WHY DID CRISTIANO RONALDO CRY? LUKA MODRIC EXPOSES JOSE MOURINHO’S HARSHEST LECTURE

Luka Modric reveals Jose Mourinho once reduced Cristiano Ronaldo to tears at Real Madrid for failing to track back defensively.

top-news
Modric and Balague confirm the 2013 Valencia clash that shattered Real’s locker room

Luka Modric says that Jose Mourinho once gave Cristiano Ronaldo such a harsh lecture that the guy was in tears.

Ronaldo, who's 40 now, played really well under Mourinho, who's 62. They were together at Real Madrid for three seasons, but apparently, they didn't always get along off the field.

Even though things got off to a slow start, the Portuguese superstar still managed to score 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho. He also helped Mourinho win three trophies in his first two seasons.

But get this: even with superstars like Karim Benzema and Angel Di Maria on his team, Mourinho was still super critical of Ronaldo's effort on defense.

Modric, who Mourinho signed from Tottenham back in 2013, told a story about one argument that made Ronaldo cry. Apparently, it was because he didn't chase after his assigned player.

"I saw him make Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the locker room," Modric told Corriere della Sera, an Italian news outlet. Can you believe it? A guy who always gives it his all on the field, and he's getting yelled at because he didn't chase some defender.

Modric moved to Real Madrid in 2013 and only played under Mourinho for a year.

Modric, who played alongside Kaka and Mesut Ozil in the midfield after arriving for a big £33 million, didn't say which game the argument happened in.

Guillem Balague, a Spanish soccer journalist, wrote in Ronaldo's biography that Ronaldo and Mourinho almost fought after Mourinho yelled at him in the locker room following a 2-0 win against Valencia in January 2013.

Mourinho was mad because Ronaldo didn't seem willing to help out on defense during the game. And Ronaldo supposedly replied, After everything I've done for you, this is how you treat me? How dare you say that to me!

Later that season, which turned out to be Mourinho's last with the team, Ronaldo was constantly asked about Mourinho's future. "I don't care," he said once. What I care about is my own future and the club.

This was a big change from earlier that year, when Mourinho said before the 2012 Ballon d'Or race, If Messi is the best on the planet, Ronaldo is the best in the universe!

After Mourinho left Real Madrid, he went on Spanish TV to talk about what caused the problems between him and Ronaldo.

"I only had one problem with him," he said. It was simple. When a coach gives a player feedback on tactics, they are trying to help them get better, in my opinion. He didn't take it well because he probably thinks he knows everything, and the coach can't help him.

Mourinho also said that they didn't really have a relationship. But time seemed to fix things, as he later said that coaching Ronaldo was the best thing that ever happened in his career.

Ronaldo also seemed to warm up to Mourinho later on, even saying that he was the best coach he ever had, even better than Sir Alex Ferguson. "I'd put him at the top; I always say that," Ronaldo said.

Ronaldo scored 168 goals in 164 games while playing for Mourinho during their three years together.

Even though Modric didn't win any trophies in his first season at Madrid, he was so impressed by Mourinho that he repeated something Mourinho famously said about himself.

He's special, as a coach and as a person, Modric said. He was the one who wanted me at Real Madrid. I wouldn't have come without him. I'm sad I only had him for one season.

Modric spent 13 years at Real Madrid, mostly managed by Carlo Ancelotti. Now he's at AC Milan and managed by Massimiliano Allegri. But he says Mourinho is the toughest of the three.

He added, "Mourinho is really direct with the players, but he's honest." He treated Sergio Ramos and new players the same way. If he had something to say, he'd say it. Max is the same way. He tells you what's right and wrong to your face. Honesty is key.

Modric also shared his opinion on the never-ending debate of who's better, Lionel Messi or Ronaldo, but said he doesn't really like talking about it.

"I don't like that question," he said. They both defined an era. I'm closer to Cristiano because I played with him; he was my teammate at Madrid, and I can tell you he's not just a great player, he's an amazing person. People don't know it, but he has a big heart and is always ready to help others. He's just a simple, normal guy.

He added, "I don't know Messi personally, but I'm sure he's great too." As a player, he's incredible.

CELTIC FANS DEMAND BOARD SACK WILFRIED NANCY AFTER SHOCK MOTHERWELL DEFEAT TONIGHT

Wilfried Nancy dismisses sack talk after Celtic's 2-0 loss at Motherwell. With Rangers closing in, the Old Firm looms large.

top-news
Wilfried Nancy’s future on the line after fifth loss in seven

After Celtic's fifth loss in seven games under his leadership, Wilfried Nancy brushed off ideas that Saturday's Old Firm game would decide his future.

Tuesday's match at Fir Park, called 'El Passico' due to both teams' open play styles, saw Motherwell outperform the Frenchman's team. Ibrahim Said and Elliot Watt scored on either side of halftime.

The 2-0 defeat, Celtic's 17th this year, meant Hearts stayed three points ahead in the league, while Rangers closed in, now just three points behind Nancy's squad after a 2-1 victory over St Mirren.

At the end of the game, visiting fans chanted for the board to be sacked, and some even demanded the manager's immediate dismissal. When asked if his first derby was a make-or-break moment, Nancy responded, No, not really. Every game matters to me and the team.

I'm not focused on my future. I'm focusing on what I'm doing now, what I need to do to help the team get better, and what we need to do as a team to improve. That's how I see it.

When asked if he understood the fans' deep worry about the lack of progress during his time, Nancy was indignant.

Progress? "There is progress," he insisted. But tonight, the situation and the opponent were tough.

This is a fact. Now, we need to figure out how to get better, and that's what we've been working on from the start. Tonight was rough. That's the truth.

When questioned about feeling the pressure after such a bad start as the champion's manager, Nancy added, As a manager, I don't want this, obviously.

Pressure doesn't change how I think. We know we have to perform well.

But right now, this is how it is. I knew it could be like this. We've had good games at times. Tonight was a hard one.

Regarding whether he was sure he could turn things around, Nancy said, Yes, I'm sure. I had to make some choices about the team tonight. I believe in what we're trying to do and where we're going. This was a hard game, difficult for us, but I think we'll improve.

Motherwell's manager, Jens Berthel Askou, praised his team, saying it was probably their best game of the season.

"We knew we'd probably need our best, most solid, and most complete performance, both with and without the ball, to win," he said.

We've had really big and good performances, but they haven't led to wins against Rangers or Celtic. So, that's what we got, and that's what we needed. It was amazing to see.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News