Pogba relief on return to action with Monaco after dope test suspension
PARIS: Paul Pogba described his emotional Monaco debut as a moment of relief and gratitude on Saturday after the French midfielder returned to the pitch for the first time in more than two years following a doping ban.
The former Juventus and Manchester United player, who joined the Ligue 1 side on a free transfer in June, had not played a competitive match since September 2023.
Pogba received a four-year ban in February 2024 after testing positive for banned substance DHEA, which boosts testosterone levels. The suspension was cut to 18 months after an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The 32-year-old, who was nearing a return last month before suffering a right ankle injury, came on in the 85th minute of Monaco’s 4-1 defeat by Rennes at Roazhon Park and was met with a standing ovation.
Pogba said: “Seeing the crowd rise and applaud, I never imagined that would happen. I’m relieved to be playing football again, the thing I love most in the world. There’s still work to do to get back to full fitness and be able to play 90 minutes.
“If I don’t perform well at Monaco, I can forget about the French national team. I believe in myself and in my qualities, and since I knew I had done nothing wrong and it was not my fault, I never lost hope.”
Monaco face Pafos in the Champions League on Wednesday before hosting Paris St Germain in Ligue 1 on Saturday.
In Germany . . .
Assan Ouedraogo struck memorably again as RB Leipzig beat Werder Bremen 2-0 to move back into second place in the Bundesliga.
The 19-year-old completed a memorable week after also scoring on his Germany debut in Monday’s 6-0 victory over Slovakia to secure their spot in the World Cup and make him the youngest Germany player to score in a first international match.
The hosts were in control in the first half but their efforts either missed the target or were blocked by Werder keeper Mio Backhaus. He was helpless, however, when Ouedraogo whipped a powerful left-footed shot into the top far corner in the 63rd minute for his third league goal of the season.
Substitute Xaver Schlager then turned in the box to drill in Leipzig’s second goal in the 80th, sealing their victory and earning their fourth win in the last five league games.
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