### Paul Pogba's Long-Awaited Return to Football After Doping Ban After a lengthy absence from competitive football due to a doping ban and injuries, Paul Pogba made his much-anticipated return to the pitch on November 23, 2025. The French midfielder played for AS Monaco in a match against Stade Rennes, marking his first appearance in 811 days. This comeback follows a 19-month suspension that was reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, allowing him to rejoin the sport he loves [https://yen.com.gh/sports/football/295172-pogba-returns-football-doping-ban-mbappe-bruno-fernandes-react][https://centralnews.co.za/paul-pogba-poised-for-emotional-comeback-french-star-named-in-monaco-squad-after-lengthy-ban]. ### Breakdown of Pogba's Comeback Journey 1. **Background of the Ban**: - Pogba faced a 26-month ban due to a doping violation, which was later reduced to 19 months [https://www.nogomania.com/read/After-26-months-Manchester-Uniteds-record-signing-is-finally-set-to-play-again.aspx]. - His absence was compounded by injuries, limiting his appearances to just 12 matches over three seasons [https://news.az/news/pogba-poised-for-long-awaited-return-as-ligue-1-action-resumes]. 2. **Return to Competitive Play**: - Pogba was included in AS Monaco's squad for their match against Stade Rennes, where he played for the first time since his suspension [https://espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/47035642/paul-pogba-set-football-return-two-years-sources]. - His return was met with excitement from fans and fellow players, including reactions from stars like Kylian Mbappe and Bruno Fernandes [https://yen.com.gh/sports/football/295172-pogba-returns-football-doping-ban-mbappe-bruno-fernandes-react]. 3. **Emotional Impact and Future Prospects**: - The comeback is seen as a significant emotional milestone for Pogba, who has faced numerous challenges during his time away from the game [https://centralnews.co.za/paul-pogba-poised-for-emotional-comeback-french-star-named-in-monaco-squad-after-lengthy-ban]. - Analysts speculate on how this return will affect his career trajectory and AS Monaco's performance in Ligue 1 moving forward [https://ghettoradio.co.ke/pogback-paul-pogba-set-for-stunning-return-to-football-with-as-monaco-after-two-year-ban]. ### Supporting Evidence of Pogba's Comeback - **Match Statistics**: - Pogba's first match back ended in a 4-1 loss for AS Monaco against Stade Rennes, highlighting the challenges he faces in regaining form [https://yen.com.gh/sports/football/295172-pogba-returns-football-doping-ban-mbappe-bruno-fernandes-react]. - **Career Overview**: - Over the past three seasons, Pogba has played only 12 matches, indicating the extent of his struggles with injuries and the ban [https://news.az/news/pogba-poised-for-long-awaited-return-as-ligue-1-action-resumes]. ### Conclusion: A New Chapter for Pogba In summary, **Paul Pogba's return to competitive football marks a significant moment in his career** after a prolonged absence due to a doping ban and injuries. The following points encapsulate the key aspects of his comeback: 1. **Pogba's ban was reduced to 19 months**, allowing him to return to the pitch [https://www.nogomania.com/read/After-26-months-Manchester-Uniteds-record-signing-is-finally-set-to-play-again.aspx]. 2. **His first match back resulted in a loss**, indicating the challenges ahead for both him and AS Monaco [https://yen.com.gh/sports/football/295172-pogba-returns-football-doping-ban-mbappe-bruno-fernandes-react]. 3. **The emotional significance of this return is profound**, as it represents a new chapter in his career [https://centralnews.co.za/paul-pogba-poised-for-emotional-comeback-french-star-named-in-monaco-squad-after-lengthy-ban]. Pogba's journey back to football is not just about the game; it reflects resilience and the hope of reclaiming his place among football's elite.