The last time Paul Pogba played in an official match came on 3 September 2023, as Juventus traveled to Empoli.
A little over two years and a doping suspension later, the 32-year-old midfielder seems closer than ever to making his return to the pitch. In the colors of AS Monaco, to be more precise, where he signed a two-year contract last summer with the ambition of returning to the French national team and, hopefully, competing in the 2026 World Cup.
But unfortunately for him, things did not go as he had hoped.
Expected to return in October by Adi Hutter, Pogba was ultimately unable to meet the deadline set by his Austrian coach. A problem that also affected Sebastien Pocognoli, the man who replaced him on the Monaco bench, who would have liked to be able to count on the 2018 World Cup winner sooner rather than later. But once again, Pogba was not ready. First suffering a thigh injury, then a minor ankle sprain, the former Manchester United player had to sit tight.
He finally returned to team training during the November international break and, more importantly, managed to complete a series of sessions. A positive dynamic that Pocognoli is keen not to get carried away about.
“I’m trying not to get too ahead of myself. It will happen when it’s meant to happen,” the Belgian told Agence France-Presse. “All I can say is that when he’s on the pitch, I see someone who is happy and focused on getting back to the highest level. There’s no doubt about that.”
For Pocognoli, the challenge of bringing Pogba back now goes beyond simply thinking about what he could bring to a team that seems to lack real leaders.
“My role now is to help him, along with the staff. And if we can manage to make him smile during professional matches, even if only occasionally, that will be fantastic. Will it be easy? I can’t say. But we’re working on it, and Paul has a lot of strength of character. And I think your mindset controls a lot of things.”
The hard work could pay off quickly, as early as this weekend, when Monaco travels to Rennes for one of the big games of Ligue 1’s 13th matchday and Pogba’s name looks set to appear in the Rouge et Blanc squad for the first time this season.
