Paul Pogba nears comeback after doping ban: Details here
What's the story
Paul Pogba, the 32-year-old midfielder for AS Monaco, is all set to make his long-awaited return from a doping ban this weekend. The Frenchman joined the Ligue 1 club last summer after his initial four-year ban was cut down to 19 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). His last competitive match was in September 2023 while playing for Juventus against Empoli in Serie A.
Suspension details
Pogba's journey through suspension and recovery
Pogba was provisionally banned from football for four years after testing positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in February 2024. The doping test was conducted in August 2023. He insisted that it was an unintentional mistake as he had been given a supplement without knowledge of its banned substance content. Despite the setback, Pogba has been given time to regain his fitness at Monaco and is now expected to be part of the squad against Rennes on Saturday.
Career highlights
Pogba's football career and potential debut
Pogba started his career at Le Havre but moved to Manchester United before making a senior appearance for the club. He joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, returning to Old Trafford four years later for a then-world record £89 million. After leaving United in 2022, he rejoined Juventus but played only 12 times before his contract was mutually terminated. If he plays against Rennes, it will be his first-ever Ligue 1 match.
Signing
Pogba joined Monaco in the summer of 2025
In June 2025, Pogba, the French football star and 2018 World Cup winner, signed a two-year contract with Ligue 1 club AS Monaco. The move marked his return to competitive football after being sidelined by injuries and an 18-month doping ban. The 32-year-old Pogba joined Monaco as a free agent. Earlier, Juventus had announced their mutual agreement to terminate his contract last November, which was originally set to run until June 2026.