Monaco news

Mauricio Pochettino faces plenty of selection posers ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with the USMNT looking to piece together a squad that can be competitive on the grandest of stages. They will need plenty of firepower in order to make that possible, with Brad Friedel discussing a striker pool that includes Folarin Balogun, Haji Wright, Ricardo Pepi and Josh Sargent during an exclusive interview with GOAL.

GOAL takes a look at which American players are playing the best heading into the final weeks of 2025.

Monaco midfielder Paul Pogba gave a passionate speech to the home fans after his side earned a narrow 1-0 win over reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain. The former Manchester United and Juventus star finally made his return to competitive football this month, having joined Monaco on a free transfer in the summer. Now back in the action, Pogba is already displaying what he can bring to his new club.

Luis Enrique shared his reaction to a horror challenge on Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier by Lamine Camara. The night ended in frustration and anger in equal measure as the reigning champions fell 1-0 to Monaco on Saturday evening. But the result was overshadowed by a rash early challenge on Chevalier that astonishingly went unpunished by VAR.

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.

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.

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.

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.

GOAL reviews the key takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, with Pulisic featuring for Milan after recovering from injury.

USMNT star Folarin Balogun experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows on Saturday against Lens. The AS Monaco striker drew his side level with a 37th-minute penalty, only to be sent off before halftime - a turning point that left Monaco reeling. Lens capitalized, surging to a 3-1 lead by the break before sealing a 4-1 victory.

Folarin Balogun scored his first Champions League goal of the season, netting in the first half of Monaco's clash with Bodo/Glimt to put his club up 1-0 at the Aspmyra Stadion. The goal is Balogun's third since scoring for the U.S. men's national team against Ecuador in a 1-1 draw during the October international break.