Paul Pogba is set to be part of the AS Monaco lineup for their match against Rennes this Saturday in Brittany, with plans for him to play briefly, sources informed ESPN on Thursday.
The 32-year-old has not stepped onto the field in 26 months, his last appearance being a 28-minute stint for Juventus against Empoli on September 3, 2023.
Pogba has never competed in Ligue 1 during his career, having departed Le Havre for Manchester United at the age of 16.
In August 2023, Pogba tested positive for DHEA, a substance that boosts testosterone levels, following a match against Udinese. As a result, he was handed a four-year suspension in February 2024.
Pogba has consistently maintained that he ingested the banned substance unknowingly through food supplements.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) later reduced his ban to 18 months on appeal, which allows him to return to play as early as March 2025.
The French international (91 caps, 11 goals), who harbors ambitions to participate in the 2026 World Cup, trained with the team normally on Thursday and plans to continue on Friday.
If he experiences no issues during training, he will make the trip to Rennes and play, as confirmed by sources. The strategy is to gradually increase his playing time over the forthcoming weeks to help him regain full fitness and reach top performance levels.
Sébastien Pocognoli, the new manager of Monaco, has been in charge for a little over a month at the age of 38, making him not much older than Pogba. He is eager to have the 2018 World Cup winner back on the pitch to bolster the team’s efforts, currently sitting sixth in the standings, five points behind Marseille and seven behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
Pogba was expected to play against Angers prior to the international break but missed out due to a minor ankle injury suffered in training.
Finally, the long-awaited moment has arrived. Pogba, donning the No. 8 jersey, is expected to step back into the football arena this weekend. Since joining Monaco at the end of June on a two-year contract, the club has implemented a comprehensive fitness rehabilitation process aimed at preparing him for a return to regular play while minimizing injury risks. This included extensive health assessments and physical testing.
Over the past five months, Pogba has dedicated himself to ensuring his return before the year’s end. Reports indicate he has excelled in training among a young squad where he has assumed a leadership role, providing guidance to his teammates.
After Juventus terminated his contract in November 2024, Pogba took his time selecting his next club. He received offers globally but chose Monaco for its project, the chance to compete in the Champions League, and the role he would play, as well as the lifestyle offered for him and his family.