Ligue 1 news

While the November international break was one for the ages as teams around the globe kept their World Cup dreams alive in dramatic circumstances, the return of club football marks a magic time in the calendars of many fans, as it means we are now at the beginning of four uninterrupted months of club action. This is when narratives truly take form, with teams able to build momentum and set off on potentially season-defining runs.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including a return to form for Tillman and Pulisic doing what he does best.

Paul Pogba claimed he was "touched" following his return to football more than two years after his last professional appearance. The Frenchman moved to Monaco over the summer after his worldwide ban following a failed drugs test in 2023 expired. Pogba was initially banned for four years for the offence, which was reduced to 18 months last October, meaning he has been eligible to play since March.

Paul Pogba completed one of football’s longest and most scrutinised journeys back to the pitch on Sunday, making his Monaco debut after 811 days away from competitive football. The former Manchester United midfielder stepped onto the grass at Roazhon Park in the 85th minute, greeted by a ripple of applause from travelling supporters who knew how much the moment meant to him.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has revealed how Erling Haaland convinced him to move from Paris Saint-Germain to Manchester City in the summer transfer window. The Italian goalkeeper left the European champions on deadline day to sign for the Premier League giants after falling out of favour under Luis Enrique, who had already signed Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

Former Manchester United star Mason Greenwood has been told he is 'becoming a complete player' after starring with a brace in Marseille's 5-1 demolition of Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Timothy Weah and Igor Paixao were also on target as Robert De Zerbi's side registered a thumping victory and climbed up to the top of the table, overtaking Paris Saint-Germain.

Mason Greenwood sparked a mass brawl after scoring his opening goal in Marseille’s feisty 5-1 win over Riviera rivals Nice in Ligue 1 on Friday evening. The former Manchester United forward is now the leading goalscorer in France's top flight after netting a brace in a victory which saw Roberto De Zerbi’s side leapfrog Paris Saint-Germain at the summit.

Paul Pogba is finally on the brink of stepping back onto a football pitch after more than two years out, with Monaco reportedly preparing to welcome him into their matchday squad this weekend. The 32-year-old has not played a competitive minute since September 3, 2023, when he featured briefly in Juventus’ 2-0 win over Empoli, a cameo that would become his last act in Turin before his career spiralled into uncertainty.

Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen missed out as Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi won the African Player of the Year award. The Moroccan full-back collected the honour on Wednesday evening, sealing a triumphant year in which he won the treble, including the Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League trophy. The only blemish was PSG’s defeat in the Club World Cup final to Chelsea in New York, where he was forced to settle for a silver medal.

Former Real Madrid striker Mariano Diaz believes a move to Lyon could be the best step for Endrick if the Brazilian leaves the club in January, saying regular minutes matter more than staying on the bench at the Bernabeu. Mariano, who made the same move in 2017 after struggling for game time, says there is "life beyond" Madrid.

Former Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo has opened up on Lionel Messi's "difficult" two-year spell at the French club. The Argentina captain joined the Ligue 1 giants on a free transfer in 2021 after ending a two-decade-long relationship with Barcelona, but struggled to settle in his two seasons at Parc des Princes and eventually moved to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023.

Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli did not raise any hopes regarding Paul Pogba's return to competitive football ahead of this weekend's Ligue 1 clash against Rennes. Pogba had suffered an ankle sprain ahead of this month's international break, but returned to team training last weekend. That said, Pocognoli is "trying not to get ahead of himself" as far as Pogba's return is concerned.

Barcelona are growing increasingly anxious over Ansu Fati’s situation at Monaco, with the French side now reconsidering their €11 million purchase option. After exploding under Adi Hutter, Fati’s minutes and influence have collapsed since Sebastien Pocognoli’s arrival. With the winger goalless in six games, his long-term future has suddenly been thrown wide open.

Paris Saint-Germain have reignited their pursuit for Atletico Madrid start forward, Julian Alvarez. With Luis Enrique pushing for a dynamic No. 9 and Alvarez open to a Ligue 1 switch, PSG believe he is the missing piece in their evolution. But Atletico’s massive €120m valuation threatens to turn the chase.

Kylian Mbappe is heading to court as his protracted legal dispute with former club Paris Saint-Germain continues. Despite severing ties with the Ligue 1 giants in the summer of 2024, the World Cup winner claims to be owed €55 million (£48m/$64m) in unpaid wages. That case is now heading to labour courts in the French capital, with a final ruling being sought.

Marseille striker Mason Greenwood has won the Ligue 1 Player of the Month award for October, marking the second time he has received the accolade since his transfer from Manchester United in the summer of 2024. The 24-year-old England international scored five Ligue 1 goals last month, including a remarkable four-goal haul during Marseille’s dominant 6-2 victory against Le Havre.

Former Manchester United attacker Mason Greenwood still believes that he can play for the England national team, even though he has been blacklisted by the FA and head coach Thomas Tuchel from selection. Greenwood's last - and only - appearance for the Three Lions came in 2020 in a Nations League clash against Iceland. After that, he was charged with serious criminal allegations, which marked the end of his journey with Three Lions.