After more than 1,000 days of injury setbacks and personal challenges, Paul Pogba has finally broken his curse. The former Manchester United star made his first start in nearly three years, marking a significant milestone in his comeback journey.
Pogba's path back to the pitch has been anything but smooth. After leaving Manchester United in the summer of 2022—where he made 233 appearances following his record £89 million return in 2016—the French midfielder joined Juventus. But his return to Turin was plagued by injuries, and a four-year ban for a failed drug test was later reduced to 18 months on appeal.
Last summer, Pogba signed with AS Monaco, hoping for a fresh start. However, injuries continued to haunt him, limiting him to just six appearances all season. In a recent interview, the 33-year-old opened up about the mental toll of his repeated setbacks, crediting his support system for helping him through the darkest moments.
But perseverance pays off. Pogba has now featured in three of Monaco's last four games, and yesterday he took a major step forward by earning his first start since May 2023. Playing 58 minutes in Monaco's 2-1 win over FC Metz, he showed flashes of his old brilliance: completing 78% of his passes, firing two shots on goal, winning four duels, and winning 100% of his tackles.
True to his team-first mentality, Pogba took to social media after the match—not to celebrate his personal milestone, but to highlight the importance of the three points for his side. Next up, a tough test against fourth-placed LOSC Lille, and Pogba will be eager to build on this momentum.
For fans who love a comeback story, this is one to watch. Pogba's journey reminds us that even the greatest athletes face adversity—and that the right mindset, support, and determination can turn the tide.
