Pogba Named in Monaco Squad for Ligue 1 Return

Paul Pogba is poised to make his long-awaited return to competitive football after more than two years sidelined, with the 32-year-old midfielder named in AS Monaco's squad for their Ligue 1 match against Rennes on Saturday at Roazhon Park.

The France international, a 2018 World Cup winner, has not played since appearing for 28 minutes in Juventus's 2-0 victory over Empoli on September 3, 2023. That outing came shortly after he tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone, a substance that boosts testosterone levels, following a Serie A game against Udinese in August 2023. Pogba, who has always denied intentional use and attributed the positive test to unknowingly ingesting contaminated supplements, received a four-year ban from anti-doping authorities in February 2024. The Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced the penalty to 18 months on appeal, making him eligible to play again from March 2025.

During his suspension, Juventus mutually terminated Pogba's contract in November 2024, ending a second stint at the club that yielded four Serie A titles but was marred by persistent injuries. He appeared in just 12 matches over more than a year after rejoining from Manchester United in...