Article by Alexandru Stanciu – Published Saturday, 02 May 2026, 21:59 / Updated Saturday, 02 May 2026 22:10
Paul Pogba (33), once the world's most expensive player, made his first start for 1,084 days in Monaco's 2-1 win away to Metz in Ligue 1 Round 32.
The French midfielder last started on May 14, 2023, when he was playing for Juventus. In that match, played against Cremonese, Pogba left the field in the 24th minute, injured.
Paul Pogba, again in charge after 1084 days
Since then, the player, once the most expensive in the world when Manchester United bought him from Juventus for 105 million euros in 2016, has gone through many obstacles to be able to play again and to be a starter.
Pogba tested positive for dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the first match of the 2023–24 season, earning him a four-year ban from football, later reduced to 18 months from 11 September 2023.
The player claimed that he did not know about the ban on the use of this substance, prescribed by an American doctor, which earned him a reduced sentence.
Even so, this situation led to the termination of his contract with Juventus in November 2024. Pogba only signed with a club last summer when he arrived in Monaco. But this did not put an end to the physical problems that marked the last years of his career.
On 22 November, he was finally able to return to the pitch, more than 800 days after his last official match, but this season he has already suffered an ankle injury and another to the left calf muscle.
After these misfortunes, Pogba returned to the pitch on 10 April and on Saturday was again in the starting line-up, leaving the field in the 58th minute and even receiving a standing ovation from the Metz fans.
Ligue 1 standings
