Paul Pogba finally made his return to competitive football after 26 months out of action due to bans and injuries, and Bruno Fernandes immediately responded.
Since being banned from football for some doping-related issues, Paul Pogba had been biding his time on the sidelines.
He signed with AS Monaco in the summer, but with so much time out of action, he faced trouble in getting up to speed, getting struck with injury worries.
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He finally got back on the football pitch with an appearance off the bench against Rennes, and showed the spark that once made him one of the world’s best.
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Photo by Lou BENOIST / AFP via Getty Images
How Paul Pogba fared on return for Monaco
Monaco are locked in an intense race for European qualification spots this season, with just two points separating Strasbourg in fourth and Monaco in eighth.
Unfortunately for Pogba, his team was already trailing by four unanswered goals by the time he came on against Rennes.
Pogba played just five minutes, but even that was enough for him to show that you never lose “it”, in the sense that he moved with his trademark grace on the pitch.
He shielded the ball in his usual style; there was the odd audacious pass, and he put himself about with gusto while defending.
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Overall, it was a nice cameo considering the context of the game state and his own situation, and it should leave fans with plenty of hope going forward.
One player who was definitely excited is Man Utd club captain Bruno Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes reacts to Paul Pogba’s return
Pogba remains a popular player among the footballing fraternity, especially at Old Trafford, despite souring relations with the club after leaving.
Fernandes had struck up a good rapport with him on and off the pitch, and the United captain was among the first to react to Pogba’s comeback.
Posting a picture of Pogba getting subbed on, Fernandes wrote, “Pogbaaaaaack”, with an eye-heart emoji and a raised hands emoji.
Bruno Fernandes message to Paul Pogba after his return for AS Monaco
Bruno Fernandes message to Paul Pogba after his return for AS Monaco
Pogba also broke his silence after the game, saying, “Playing football is what I love the most. Football is NOT over for me.
“I was the one who suffered the most. I was looking forward to it. You have moments when the devil tries to talk in your head to say it’s over. But there is a good God, I believe in myself.”
Pogba could next be in action in the Champions League when Monaco face Pafos on November 26.