His return caps a turbulent chapter that began when he received a provisional four-year suspension following a positive test for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in August 2023. Pogba insisted throughout the process that he had unknowingly taken a contaminated supplement. The Court of Arbitration for Sport later reduced the sanction to 19 months, enabling him to resume his career. The ruling allowed him to sign with Monaco last summer, an emotional moment after a prolonged absence from the game.
Before Saturday, Pogba had not played competitively since featuring for Juventus against Empoli on 3 September 2023—811 days ago. He eventually left the Turin club by mutual consent in November 2024.
The match itself was largely decided by the time Pogba was introduced. Rennes struck through Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal, Mahdi Camara, Breel Embolo and Ludovic Blas, putting the hosts firmly in control. Monaco salvaged a late consolation when substitute Mika Biereth scored in stoppage time, but it did little to soften a second successive 4–1 loss. The result leaves Sébastien Pocognoli’s team eighth in Ligue 1 with 20 points from 13 matches.
Pogba’s brief cameo did not alter the outcome, yet it marked a meaningful step in a comeback that once seemed unlikely—one that both player and club hope will soon translate into a fuller role on the pitch.