Nigerian-born striker George Ilenikhena has shed light on the impending return of former Manchester United and Juventus star Paul Pogba to competitive football with AS Monaco. Pogba, a World Cup winner, is poised to make his long-awaited comeback after a two-year absence due to a doping ban, a development that has significantly boosted morale within the Monaco camp.

Ilenikhena, a 19-year-old forward, described Pogba as highly motivated and eager to return to the pitch. Despite his prolonged absence, Pogba's technical prowess and passing quality remain intact. "Paul is very hungry," Ilenikhena stated. "You can see he wants to play and get back on the pitch quickly after this long absence. He still has his technique and that passing quality he hasn’t lost. He calms the game like before and helps us a lot, especially the younger ones." Ilenikhena also mentioned scoring multiple goals from Pogba's assists during training sessions, highlighting the Frenchman's immediate influence and mentorship.

Paul Pogba's journey back to professional football has been complex. He served a four-year doping ban, which was subsequently reduced to 18 months on appeal by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), making him eligible to play from March 2025. The ban stemmed from a positive test for DHEA, a banned substance that elevates testosterone levels, after a Juventus game in August 2023. Pogba maintained he unknowingly consumed a contaminated supplement prescribed by a doctor. This ruling led to the mutual termination of his contract with Juventus in November 2024.

Pogba's career has been marked by significant moves and challenges. He first left Manchester United's academy for Juventus in 2012, where he achieved considerable success, winning Serie A four times. In August 2016, he returned to Manchester United for a then world-record fee of £89.3 million, winning the Europa League and Carabao Cup in his debut season. However, his second stint at United was inconsistent, marked by disagreements with manager Jose Mourinho, and he ultimately left as a free agent in June 2022. He then rejoined Juventus in July 2022, but this period was plagued by injury issues and a deteriorating relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri. He also missed the 2022 World Cup due to knee surgery and faced a family extortion plot, for which his brother Mathias Pogba was later sentenced to a three-year jail term.

Having joined AS Monaco on a free transfer with a two-year deal, Pogba had to overcome another hurdle: a small ankle injury sustained in training, which delayed his planned debut in October. The club implemented an extensive rehabilitation program, including biochemical data analysis and various physical and cognitive tests, to prepare him for a sustained return. He has now been officially named in the AS Monaco squad to face Rennes on Saturday, with plans for him to play a few minutes, marking his first competitive appearance since September 3, 2023.

Meanwhile, George Ilenikhena is also preparing for a crucial period with Monaco. Following a 4-1 defeat to Lens and a late red card for Folarin Balogun, Monaco's attacking structure needs adjustments for the upcoming Ligue 1 match against Rennes. Ilenikhena, known for his "super-sub" performances, including scoring against Barcelona twice in the Champions League for Royal Antwerp and Monaco, is ready to step up. "I work every day to be in the best possible shape when the coach calls on me," he said, expressing his desire to prove his ability to influence matches from the start rather than just as a substitute.