Paul Pogba is expected to make his long-awaited return to action after over two years out of the game when Monaco travel to Rennes this Saturday in Ligue 1.
The 2018 World Cup winner has made only 12 appearances across the last three seasons due to injuries, a doping suspension and an extortion case in which he was the victim.

Pogba failed a drugs test in August 2023 after a match for Juventus and was handed a four-year ban, which was subsequently reduced to 18 months.

Nonetheless, the Italian giants terminated his contract last November, bringing to an early end an unhappy second stint in Turin blighted by injuries and other problems.

In 2024, his brother Mathias was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, for his role in a plot to extort 13 million euros ($15.3 million) from Pogba in 2022.

But the chance to salvage his career came to the 32-year-old in the form of Ligue 1 side Monaco, who decided to take a gamble on him once he became available again following the conclusion of his suspension in March.

The extravagantly-gifted midfielder signed for the principality side in the close-season, but was initially kept on the sidelines as he followed a custom-made plan to get his body back into the shape necessary for elite competition.

Pogba’s return has twice been delayed due to knocks picked up this autumn but, after having won four Italian league titles with Juventus and the 2017 Europa League with Manchester United, Pogba is now set to play club football in his home country for the first time in his professional career.

Unlikely to start at Roazhon Park against Rennes as Ligue 1 starts back up after the international break, Pogba may only be sent on for the final moments of the match by Sebastien Pocognoli as sixth-placed Monaco continue to bed him in gently.

Regardless, all eyes will be on Pogba to see if his innate ability to spot and execute the pass few else could even imagine, much less pull off, has not disappeared with time.

Pogba has stated he dreams of returning to the France set-up ahead of the 2026 World Cup but only time will tell if his body can find it within itself to stand up to the demands of modern football over the rest of the season.

“It’s the wish of every French football player to represent the France national team, but there are stages,” Pogba said upon signing for Monaco.

“Today I’m at stage one: coming back and performing well.

“There are spots to be won and you have to earn them.”

Elsewhere in Ligue 1 action this weekend, leaders Paris Saint-Germain take on Le Havre, third-placed Lens welcome fourth-placed Strasbourg and bitter south coast rivals Nice and Marseille meet.

Player to watch: Maghnes Akliouche
Fresh off scoring his first international goal during France’s 3-1 win over Azerbaijan in 2026 World Cup qualifying on Sunday, Monaco attacker Akliouche could be one of the principal beneficiaries of Pogba’s comeback.

The 23-year-old is considered one of the brightest talents in Ligue 1 and will have hopes of making Didier Deschamps’ squad for next summer’s tournament in North America.

Akliouche boasts just three strikes in 11 outings this term but having a midfield creator of the quality of Pogba supplying him could ignite his season moving forward.

Key stats
26 – If Pogba takes to the field for Monaco it will be his first competitive appearance in 26 months

9 – Leading goalscorer Joaquin Panichelli of Strasbourg tops the scoring charts, one ahead of Marseille’s Mason Greenwood and Rennes’ Esteban Lepaul on eight.

2 – PSG won their last two league outings thanks to goals scored after the 90th minute

Fixtures (times GMT)

Friday

Nice v Marseille (1945)

Saturday

Lens v Strasbourg (1600), Rennes v Monaco (1800), Paris Saint-Germain v Le Havre (2005)

Sunday

Auxerre v Lyon (1400), Nantes v Lorient, Brest v Metz, Toulouse v Angers (all 1615), Lille v Paris FC (1945)

Paris Saint-Germain’s star young forward Desire Doue is “unavailable for a few weeks” following an injury in a Ligue 1 game, the club announced on Thursday.

Doue will miss the European champions’ home fixture with Bayern Munich next Tuesday in the Champions League, while Tottenham visit Parc des Princes on November 26.

“A new update will be provided after the international break” in November, the club added.

Doue, 20, was stretchered off on the hour mark in Wednesday’s 1-1 draw at Lorient, suffering from “a muscular lesion in the right thigh”.

This latest setback for one of the capital side’s standout players came just after Doue’s return from a six-week lay-off due to a right calf injury picked up on France duty.

He returned in fine form, bagging a first-half brace in the 7-2 Champions League demolition of Bayer Leverkusen last week.

Achraf Hakimi scored a first-half brace as Paris Saint-Germain returned to the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 win on the road against Brest.

Paris Saint-Germain climbed back to the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 win against Brest at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Captain Achraf Hakimi scored a brace for the reigning champions with Desire Doue completing the scoring, while Romain Del Castillo fluffed his lines from the penalty spot, as PSG returned to winning ways in the French top flight.

Brest had the first clear chance of the match when Junior Dina Ebimbe cut the ball back to Pathe Mboup in the box, but the forward scuffed his effort straight at Lucas Chevalier, with Radoslaw Majecki also making a save at the other end to deny Senny Mayulu.

Hakimi then broke the deadlock for PSG just before the half-hour mark. Vitinha picked out his team-mate with a lofted pass to the back post, and the right-back volleyed home.

The Morocco international was then on hand to double the visitors' advantage in the 39th minute. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia mishit his effort, but the ball landed kindly for Hakimi to smash into the top-right corner.

Brest had a golden opportunity to reply in what was a quiet second half when Lee Kang-In was penalised for a handball following a lengthy VAR check. However, Del Castillo lost his footing when striking the ball, and sent his effort over the bar as he slipped on the turf.

Doue struck the woodwork twice in the closing stages for PSG, but eventually found the back of the net in the sixth minute of stoppage time, after being played through on goal by Warren Zaire-Emery and smashing the ball past Majecki.

Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele is in line to make his return from injury for Paris Saint Germain against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, a source close to the club told AFP on Monday.

The news will come as a welcome boost for PSG coach Luis Enrique, whose side has been struggling with injuries this season.

Dembele, 28, has been out for six weeks with a hamstring problem he suffered on international duty with France in early September.

He had been recuperating at a specialist clinic in Qatar and returned to training last week.

He missed out on PSG’s entertaining 3-3 draw against Strasbourg on Friday but is part of the first team squad for Tuesday’s match in Germany, the source said.

PSG published images of Dembele training normally on Saturday.

The reigning European and French champions welcomed back forwards Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was a substitute, against Strasbourg.

They are, however, still missing midfield duo Fabian Ruiz and Joao Neves, although some media have reported that captain Marquinhos has travelled to Germany with the squad.

“I don’t know when the injured players will return,” Luis Enrique had said on Thursday, adding that the club did not want to “take risks with the players’ health”.

They have made a strong start to their Champions League defence, beating Atalanta and Barcelona in their opening two matches, while Leverkusen drew with FC Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven.

Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi, who is being investigated over an alleged rape, said he has “peace of mind” and expects to be cleared of the accusations.

Last month, French prosecutors called for the 26-year-old Morocco international to face trial over the allegations that he raped a 24-year-old woman that he had met over social media.

“I know that what I am accused of is a lie,” Hakimi told journalist Mouloud Achour in an interview for the “Clique” show to be aired on Canal+, a clip of which was broadcast on Wednesday night.

“I know that I have not done anything and that I would never do that,” the Madrid-born Hakimi said in Spanish.

“Today, I have peace of mind…. hoping that the truth will soon be revealed.”

Hakimi, who helped Morocco to their historic progress to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup, was charged in March, 2023 with raping the woman.

Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home on February 25, 2023, in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife, from whom he has since divorced, and children were away on holiday.

The woman went to a police station following the encounter alleging rape and was questioned by police.

Although the woman refused to make a formal accusation, prosecutors decided to press charges against the player.

Hakimi insists that he is the victim of an extortion attempt.

On August 1, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office told AFP that they had requested that the investigating judge refer the rape charge to a criminal court.

“Nothing in the case lends in any way to a characterising of extortion,” the alleged victim’s lawyer Rachel-Flore Pardo told AFP on Thursday.

“Mr Hakimi is trying to create a counter-fire that we are used to in cases of sexual violence.”

Hakimi has continued to play for PSG and his country since the allegations first surfaced, even winning the Champions League with the Qatari-owned French club in May.

Ademola Lookman will sit out Atalanta’s Champions League opener at Paris Saint-Germain as the Nigeria forward continues to be sidelined following a protracted attempt to leave the Serie A club, coach Ivan Juric said on Sunday.

Atalanta warmed up for Wednesday’s clash with the European champions in Paris by beating Lecce 4-1 without star man Lookman, who hasn’t featured this season after trying and failing to force a move to Inter Milan in the summer.

It was the second time in as many years that Lookman has tried to find the exit door after attempting to leave for PSG the summer after he helped win the Europa League for Atalanta in 2024.

“I don’t think so, it’s an unpleasant situation,” said Juric when asked if Lookman would travel to the French capital.

“He has given a lot to Atalanta but Atalanta has given him a lot as well. We need players who are ready, who want to play for the shirt and improve… Looking ahead we’ll see what happens.”

Ads by

London-born Lookman has become one of the best players in Europe since signing for Atalanta three years ago after a middling early career in England and Germany.

The 27-year-old has scored 52 times in 117 matches for Atalanta, most famously netting a hat-trick in last year’s Europa League final, when the Bergamo club won their first European trophy by thumping previously unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.

Lookman scored 20 times in all competitions last season with five coming in seven Champions League appearances, but he soured his relationship with the club by abandoning team training in the hope that Inter would meet Atalanta’s asking price of 50 million euros.

That never happened and Lookman, whose contract doesn’t expire until the end of June 2027, was forced to return to Atalanta, where he has since been frozen out by Juric who has replaced Gian Piero Gasperini in the dugout.

Atalants are unbeaten in their opening three matches in Lookman’s absence this term, and sit sixth, one point behind Gasperini’s new team Roma who fell to a shock 1-0 home defeat to Torino earlier on Sunday.

Charles De Ketelaere struck twice in the second half with Giorgio Scalvini and Nicola Zalewski netting Atalanta’s other goals.

Paris, Parc des Princes. On a bright Sunday afternoon, Paris Saint-Germain reasserted their dominance in Ligue 1, edging past RC Lens 2-0 thanks to a clinical double from young forward Bradley Barcola. The victory pushes PSG back to the summit of the French top flight, leaving Lens to ponder missed opportunities.

First half: Close but cautious

The game began with PSG taking control of possession, probing early through wide play and trying to break through Lens’ organized defense. Lens, for their part, were disciplined, pressing selectively and seeking to exploit the space behind the PSG midfield. Despite PSG having more of the ball and creating chances, the first half ended 1-0, after Barcola opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a well-placed strike from outside the box, assisted by Vitinha.

Lens withstood the pressure for long stretches, but PSG’s early goal gave them the confidence to dominate more as the interval approached.

Second half: Barcola seals it, Lens chase in vain

Coming into the second half needing a response, Lens tried to step up the tempo, but PSG continued to control the game. The decisive moment came early after the break, when Barcola scored again in the 51st minute, once more assisted by Vitinha. His strike similar in its composure put PSG two goals up and effectively sealed the result.

Lens did try to pull one back, bringing on attacking substitutions, pressing higher, and creating a few half-chances, but the PSG defense and keeper held firm. As the match progressed, PSG comfortably managed possession and limited Lens’ opportunities, closing out the match without too much alarm.

Standout performers

1.Bradley Barcola: A double that demonstrated not just finishing ability, but good movement, composure, and link-up play with teammates. He was the clear match-winner.

2.Vitinha: Provided the assist for both goals; his vision and passing were key in unlocking Lens’ backline.

3.PSG’s defence & keeper: Held firm when needed, especially under pressure after Lens’ attempts to fight back.

Implications

With this win PSG remain unbeaten and climb to first place in Ligue 1 with a near‐perfect start. Lens, suffering their second defeat of the season, drop points that could prove costly in their push to challenge among the top. For PSG, the confidence boost is significant, especially with their attacking options looking sharper and more clinical

Paris Saint-Germain welcome Lens to the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1, with Luis Enrique’s men aiming to extend their perfect start to the season. PSG have been dominant in attack, led by Bradley Barcola and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and the champions will look to control possession and press high from the start. Despite some defensive lapses in recent games, the Parisians remain clear favorites.

Lens arrive in Paris hoping to cause an upset. They have shown glimpses of quality this season, with Odsonne Edouard leading the line and Florian Thauvin adding creativity behind him. Franck Haise’s side will rely on discipline and quick counterattacks to exploit PSG’s high defensive line. Injuries to Jhoanner Chavez and Deiver Machado mean Lens will have to reshuffle defensively, but their compact 3-4-2-1 system is designed to frustrate strong opponents.

The predicted lineup for PSG sees Lucas Chevalier in goal behind a back four of Hakimi, Zabarnyi, Beraldo, and Hernández. Vitinha anchors the midfield with Zaire-Emery and Kang-In Lee pushing forward, while Barcola, Ramos, and Kvaratskhelia form a dangerous attacking trio. Lens are expected to line up with Risser in goal, a back three of Gradit, Baidoo, and Sarr, supported by wing-backs Aguilar and Udol. Thomasson and Sangaré will look to control the midfield, while Thauvin and Guilavogui play behind striker Edouard.

With PSG in top form and backed by their home crowd, they go into this clash as strong favorites. However, Lens have the weapons to test them, and if they remain organized and clinical on the break, this could turn into a much tighter contest than expected.

France coach Didier Deschamps calmed suggestions of a rift between the national team and Paris Saint-Germain after the European champions were left fuming after Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue picked up injuries on international duty.

Dembele, PSG’s leading scorer last season and one of the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, has been ruled out for between six and eight weeks after coming off hurt in France’s 2-0 win over Ukraine in World Cup qualifying on Friday.

Doue was injured in the same game and is expected to be sidelined for a month, dealing a major blow to PSG as they prepare to begin their defence of the Champions League title.

The club wrote to the French Football Federation (FFF) on Sunday calling for a “more transparent and collaborative coordination protocol to be put in place between clubs and national teams”.

PSG, whose squad had a significantly shortened close-season break after going all the way to the final of the Club World Cup in July, said they had provided the FFF with “concrete” medical information about how much workload their players could withstand.

They said that their recommendations were ignored.

Deschamps insisted that the French team’s medical staff “did things in a very professional and progressive way, as we do with all the players, taking into account how each player feels”.

“Even if they are eager to play, that feeling is always a very important element for us,” added the French coach, who was speaking before Les Bleus host Iceland at PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium on Tuesday.

“PSG are not our adversary, and never have been. The clubs never have been, even if our interests go in different directions, and that is normal.

“I have been on the other side of the barrier. Our only opponent is Iceland,” Deschamps said, insisting that there are always exchanges between his team and the clubs.

He used the examples of Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki and Arsenal defender William Saliba, who picked up injuries and were told they would not need to come to the French team’s training base for further assessment despite having being called up.

“I am not going to make them come when we are perfectly aware it’s not possible, because our doctor was sent the images from their scans,” said the coach.

Toulouse centre-back Jaydee Canvot (19) has officially joined Crystal Palace, both clubs have announced. The 19-year-old has penned a four-year deal with the Eagles. It has been reported that Toulouse and the Premier League side has agreed to a €27m for the highly-promising France youth international centre-back. Canvot will wear the No. 23 jersey at Palace.

Canvot broke through at his formative club Toulouse last season and has been identified by Get French Football News as a prospect to watch in our pre-season Ligue 1 guide. A versatile player with great anticipation and strong on the ball, he has often played at centre-back, but he is also capable in midfield, as he showed in Le TéFéCé’s win over OGC Nice on Saturday.

“Jaydee is an exciting talent whose progress has been on our radar for some time. We are pleased to welcome him to South London“, said Palace Chairman Steve Parish. “His arrival bolsters a squad already brimming with talent and potential, and I look forward to seeing his impact both this season, and in the future, in red and blue.”

In an explosive and unforgettable encounter at the Stadium de Toulouse on August 30, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain delivered a masterclass in attacking football, dismantling a previously unbeaten Toulouse side with a resounding 6–3 triumph to take top spot in Ligue 1.

Neves Makes History

João Neves starred in spectacular fashion, netting a sensational hat-trick, including two stunning overhead kicks and a powerful long-range strike. His first came mere minutes in with an acrobatic overhead finish (7’), followed by a repeat masterpiece just before the quarter-hour (14’), and capped off by a thunderous shot from outside the box in the 78th minute.

Remarkably, PSG scored three goals in the opening 15 minutes a first in the club’s history setting the tone for the night.

PSG’s Relentless Attack

The scoring frenzy didn’t stop there. Bradley Barcola added a sublime second goal for PSG in the 9th minute, and Ousmane Dembélé converted two coolly taken penalties before and shortly after halftime, making it 4–0 by the 51st minute.

Toulouse’s Late Response

Despite being overwhelmed, Toulouse showed heart. Central defender Charlie Cresswell pulled one back in the 37th minute after a goalkeeping slip, and the hosts later added late goals through Yann Gboho (89’) and Alexis Vossah (90'+1). However, the damage had long been done, and PSG’s dominance remained unshaken.

Defensive Heroics and Game Control

PSG’s keeper Lucas Chevalier made two crucial saves, denying penalty attempts from Cristian Cásseres Jr. just before the break, preserving PSG’s commanding lead.

Post-halftime, PSG maintained high possession and composure, with Neves sealing his treble and PSG closing out the win with flair.

Aftermath

• PSG remains perfect with 3 wins from 3, perched at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

• The match is one for the record books: the highest-scoring match so far this season, and Neves’ hat-trick stands out as a defining moment.

• PSG’s collective attacking quality, anchored by Neves and supported by Barcola and Dembélé, sent a clear warning to the rest of the league: their ambition this season knows no bounds.

AC Milan are close to reaching an agreement with Chelsea FC over the signing of France international attacking midfielder Christopher Nkunku (27), as per L’Equipe. The Rossoneri and the Blues are expected to find a compromise this Thursday over a transfer package ranging from €40m to €45m. Nkunku has already agreed on personal terms with the Serie A side.

Nkunku was looking for a way out of Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea were also keen to recoup their losses on the former PSG Academy graduate. Nkunku has failed to replicate in West London the form that earned him a €60m move from RB Leipzig two years ago. Nkunku still had four years left on his Chelsea deal. Aston Villa, RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich were also interested in signing the 27-year-old, but Milan look to have won the race to Nkunku’s signing.

PSG goalkeeper Arnau Tenas (24) has secured a permanent transfer to Villarreal, both sides have announced. Le Parisien reports that the Champions League winners are set to bank a €6m transfer fee. Tenas only featured eight times for PSG. The Spaniard has signed a four-year deal with Marcelino’s Liga side, who will compete in the Champions League this season.

Tenas joined PSG from Barcelona on a free transfer two summers ago, but has naturally found game time limited. Since joining, Gianluigi Donnarumma has been the undisputed No.1, whilst there have been other arrivals in that position since. Matvey Safonov arrived as the Italian’s backup, whilst this summer Lucas Chevalier arrived to replace Donnarumma and Renato Marin has also arrived to strengthen the club’s backup options

OGC Nice midfielder Pablo Rosario (28) has joined Liga Portugal giants FC Porto, both clubs have announced. The Dominican Republic international has put pen to paper over a four-year deal with the Dragons. Rosario will wear the No. 13 jersey for Porto. Rosario had entered the final months of the five-year deal he signed with Nice in 2021. Nice are expected to receive a €4m transfer fee, as per L’Equipe.

Rosario had been edging towards the exit at OGC Nice all summer. For a portion of the summer, amid talks with other clubs, the midfielder trained separately from Franck Haise’s Le Gym squad. Rosario is the latest key player to leave Les Aiglons this summer after Marcin Bulka, Gaëtan Laborde and Evann Guessand. In Porto, Rosario will reunite with former Nice coach Francesco Farioli.

According to a report from Ed Aarons of The Guardian, Crystal Palace have approached AS Monaco over a loan for centre-back Mohammed Salisu (26).

The Ghanaian international has struggled to pin down a regular place in the starting lineup since arriving in the Principality from Southampton FC in 2023. He initially struggled with injuries in his first season, and despite starting more regularly in his second campaign, he eventually became a backup option.

His last start for Monaco came in February, and with the arrival of Eric Dier this summer, it appears as if Salisu’s already scarce appearances will become even more diminished. It was reported in June that the defender was looking to leave the Principality.

Aarons writes that Palace are not the only team looking at the defender, with Olympiacos also in talks with Salisu. But he also explains that he is not Palace’s only target, with the club also looking at Manchester City’s Manuel Akanji (30), who is in the sights of Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray.