Paul Pogba finds the net in Monaco exhibition match prior to comeback.
AS Monaco’s pursuit of a Champions League position for the upcoming season may receive a significant boost with the return of midfielder Paul Pogba.
The former French international has recently resumed light training after an extended absence due to a persistent issue with his left calf, and on Thursday, he found the net in a friendly against Premier League side Brentford.
Pogba, who won the World Cup in 2018, signed a two-year contract with Monaco last summer but has only participated in approximately 30 minutes of play since his debut at the end of November.
Currently, Monaco sits sixth in Ligue 1 with seven matches left to play. The top three teams earn direct qualification for next season’s Champions League, while the fourth-placed team enters the qualifying rounds.
Coach SΓ©bastien Pocognoli has revitalized Monaco’s performance, leading the team to a six-match winning streak, now just three points shy of third-place Marseille. Monaco is set to face Marseille on April 5, following the international break, with sources indicating to ESPN that Pogba may have the opportunity to participate in that match or in their subsequent game against Paris FC on April 10.
The former star Pogba scored during the World Cup final victory over Croatia eight years ago, at which time he was regarded as one of the top midfielders globally.
Since joining Monaco, he has also contended with thigh and ankle injuries, following more than two years away from the sport due to injuries, off-field issues, and a doping suspension.
In February, Monaco excluded the injured Pogba from their Champions League roster to accommodate a signing made in January ahead of their playoff knockout round clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG eliminated Monaco in that matchup, securing a hard-fought 5-4 aggregate victory for the reigning champions.
Pogba has previously played for Juventus and Manchester United.
In 2016, he became the most expensive football player in history at that time when he returned to United from Juventus for a transfer fee of 105 million euros (then $116 million).
Information from The Associated Press was utilized in this report. ESPN writer Julien Laurens also contributed.
