French-Guinean Paul Pogba makes history with Ligue 1 comeback, joins elite World Cup winners club

Paul Pogba made a memorable return to football on Saturday, stepping onto the Ligue 1 pitch for AS Monaco after more than two years away.

The French-Guinean midfielder instantly joined an elite circle of World Cup-winning French players to appear in the league, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Despite Monaco suffering a heavy defeat to Stade Rennais, his comeback highlighted his enduring skill and stature, as well as his rare place in French football history.

According to Opta, Pogba is now the third French player to feature in Ligue 1 after winning the World Cup, following Steven Nzonzi with Rennes in 2020 and Lucas Hernandez with Paris Saint-Germain in 2023.

Stats Foot also notes that Pogba has become the 17th member of France’s 2018 World Cup-winning squad to play in Ligue 1 since their triumph in Russia.

Antoine Griezmann remains the only French World Cup winner yet to appear in the domestic league.

While Monaco struggled against Rennes, Pogba’s return drew widespread attention. Fans celebrated the moment, acknowledging the significance of a player of his calibre rejoining French football.

Looking ahead, Pogba’s focus will be on influencing Monaco’s midfield and helping the team stabilize.