It has been more than three years since Pogba's last match in Europe's top competition, a period that reflects the recent difficulties of a career that once promised to dominate the continental scene.
The French midfielder played his last Champions League match on 15 March 2022, when Manchester United lost 1-0 to Atletico Madrid at Old Trafford. Since then, injuries, suspensions and off-field issues have kept him out of the spotlight.
His return comes in a very different context. At 32, he recently made his comeback in Ligue 1 with Monaco, in their 4-1 defeat to Rennes on 22 November, and is now set to hear the Champions League anthem once again in a clash with Pafos.
However, beyond his physical return, the data reflects the time spent away from the European elite. Pogba has not scored in the competition since 8 December 2020, when United lost 3-2 to RB Leipzig. Nor has he recorded an assist since 28 October of that same year, in the 5-0 victory over Leipzig at Old Trafford.
The French international has accumulated 23 wins, 13 draws and 21 defeats in the Champions League throughout his career. His European debut was in October 2012, more than thirteen years ago, with Juventus against Shakhtar Donetsk in Turin (1-1).
That day marked the beginning of a period that established him as one of the most promising midfielders in the world. He played 32 matches in the competition with the Italian club, with a record of 14 wins, 9 draws and 9 defeats. For Manchester United, however, his performance was more inconsistent: 25 matches, 9 wins, 4 draws and 12 defeats.
The statistical contrast reflects the different weight he had in both teams: in Turin, he was a symbol of power and creativity, while in Manchester, he suffered the pressure and transition of a project that never quite took off.
Now, in his spell at Monaco and after overcoming a period of uncertainty, Pogba faces an opportunity to redeem himself on the international stage.