Latest news with #FranceNationalTeam
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Glitz and graft: Pogba in race against time as Ligue 1 season looms
Paul Pogba's return to Monaco this summer set tongues wagging as the 2018 World Cup winner made his comeback to football after nearly three seasons on the sidelines -- a turbulent period blighted by injury, blackmail and an 18-month doping ban. Now with the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season looming large, the former Manchester United star must put all that behind him and get to work if he is to light up Monaco's Stade Louis II and realise his "dream" of winning back his spot in the France national team. "It's the wish of every French football player to represent the France national team, but there are stages," Pogba said during his unveiling at Monaco in July. "Today I'm at stage one: coming back and performing well." Pogba's words attracted attention for what he could still offer on the field, but it was his tears of joy that really grabbed the spotlight. Images of the 32-year-old weeping as he signed a two-year contract with Monaco went viral on social media -- thus setting the tone for a very different type of graft. The arrival of the midfielder at Monaco represented more than just the return of a star name of French football to Ligue 1, it was clearly a marketing opportunity too good to pass up. Pogba was sent straight to work. First, he joined Zinedine Zidane for a video produced by their mutual sponsor, which garnered huge attention. Then, he took a trip to Saint Tropez with American influencer Darren Watkins Junior, who has 40 million followers under the name IShowSpeed. After that, he and his wife, Zulay, launched their new high-end jewellery brand, accompanied by a suitable social media campaign. Named 'Unbreakable', the jewellery collection is a direct nod to Pogba's recent travails. He was the victim in March 2022 of an attempt to extort 13 million euros ($15.1 million) from him by relatives, including his brother Mathias who was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, in 2024. Pogba was also injured for a long period and then suspended for 18 months after failing a drugs test while at Italian club Juventus in August 2023. - 'High intensity' - Since having his contract terminated by the Serie A outfit last November, Pogba had been living in the United States and training alone until Monaco came calling and offered him the chance to make his comeback. "A lot of boxes were ticked: the conditions, the lifestyle, France, Ligue 1, the family, and of course the club," explained Pogba, who will be playing club football in his home country for the first time in his professional career. Once back in a professional environment at Monaco, "the easy part was just beginning" for Pogba. If the exquisitely gifted ball-player was less worried about getting his touch back, rediscovering the fitness and intensity of an elite athlete would be more challenging. A month later, Pogba has moved on to the second phase of his programme: individualised work on the pitch, often with the ball. "I'm determined," he said on his arrival. "I want to get back on the pitch. But it will take as long as it takes." "Everything is going in the right direction," Monaco general manager Thiago Scuro told AFP. "He has started sessions on the pitch and is making progress. The timing is on track, the process is positive, with no red flags or setbacks so far." Pogba's progress is been closely monitored by Monaco coach Adi Huetter, who so far is impressed by his commitment and how quickly he has integrated into a squad in which he is the elder statesman. For Scuro the key moment will be "when (Pogba) is able to participate in all training sessions with the group". "The intensity, pressure and level are very high. He will have to be able to repeat this training load on a daily basis. We will then see how his body adapts." Should all go to plan, Pogba could return to competition in the autumn -- perhaps even in time for the home match against fierce rivals Nice on October 5. "We really want to see him succeed," said Scuro. "It's going to be a great story. The most special thing would be to see him play in the World Cup (in 2026). That would mean he's done a lot of good things in Monaco."
France 24
7 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Glitz and graft: Pogba in race against time as Ligue 1 season looms
Now with the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season looming large, the former Manchester United star must put all that behind him and get to work if he is to light up Monaco's Stade Louis II and realise his "dream" of winning back his spot in the France national team. "It's the wish of every French football player to represent the France national team, but there are stages," Pogba said during his unveiling at Monaco in July. "Today I'm at stage one: coming back and performing well." Pogba's words attracted attention for what he could still offer on the field, but it was his tears of joy that really grabbed the spotlight. Images of the 32-year-old weeping as he signed a two-year contract with Monaco went viral on social media -- thus setting the tone for a very different type of graft. The arrival of the midfielder at Monaco represented more than just the return of a star name of French football to Ligue 1, it was clearly a marketing opportunity too good to pass up. Pogba was sent straight to work. First, he joined Zinedine Zidane for a video produced by their mutual sponsor, which garnered huge attention. Then, he took a trip to Saint Tropez with American influencer Darren Watkins Junior, who has 40 million followers under the name IShowSpeed. After that, he and his wife, Zulay, launched their new high-end jewellery brand, accompanied by a suitable social media campaign. Named 'Unbreakable', the jewellery collection is a direct nod to Pogba's recent travails. He was the victim in March 2022 of an attempt to extort 13 million euros ($15.1 million) from him by relatives, including his brother Mathias who was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, in 2024. Pogba was also injured for a long period and then suspended for 18 months after failing a drugs test while at Italian club Juventus in August 2023. 'High intensity' Since having his contract terminated by the Serie A outfit last November, Pogba had been living in the United States and training alone until Monaco came calling and offered him the chance to make his comeback. "A lot of boxes were ticked: the conditions, the lifestyle, France, Ligue 1, the family, and of course the club," explained Pogba, who will be playing club football in his home country for the first time in his professional career. Once back in a professional environment at Monaco, "the easy part was just beginning" for Pogba. If the exquisitely gifted ball-player was less worried about getting his touch back, rediscovering the fitness and intensity of an elite athlete would be more challenging. A month later, Pogba has moved on to the second phase of his programme: individualised work on the pitch, often with the ball. "I'm determined," he said on his arrival. "I want to get back on the pitch. But it will take as long as it takes." "Everything is going in the right direction," Monaco general manager Thiago Scuro told AFP. "He has started sessions on the pitch and is making progress. The timing is on track, the process is positive, with no red flags or setbacks so far." Pogba's progress is been closely monitored by Monaco coach Adi Huetter, who so far is impressed by his commitment and how quickly he has integrated into a squad in which he is the elder statesman. For Scuro the key moment will be "when (Pogba) is able to participate in all training sessions with the group". "The intensity, pressure and level are very high. He will have to be able to repeat this training load on a daily basis. We will then see how his body adapts." Should all go to plan, Pogba could return to competition in the autumn -- perhaps even in time for the home match against fierce rivals Nice on October 5. "We really want to see him succeed," said Scuro. "It's going to be a great story. The most special thing would be to see him play in the World Cup (in 2026). That would mean he's done a lot of good things in Monaco."
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Glitz and graft: Pogba in race against time as Ligue 1 season looms
Paul Pogba's return to Monaco this summer set tongues wagging as the 2018 World Cup winner made his comeback to football after nearly three seasons on the sidelines -- a turbulent period blighted by injury, blackmail and an 18-month doping ban. Now with the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season looming large, the former Manchester United star must put all that behind him and get to work if he is to light up Monaco's Stade Louis II and realise his "dream" of winning back his spot in the France national team. "It's the wish of every French football player to represent the France national team, but there are stages," Pogba said during his unveiling at Monaco in July. "Today I'm at stage one: coming back and performing well." Pogba's words attracted attention for what he could still offer on the field, but it was his tears of joy that really grabbed the spotlight. Images of the 32-year-old weeping as he signed a two-year contract with Monaco went viral on social media -- thus setting the tone for a very different type of graft. The arrival of the midfielder at Monaco represented more than just the return of a star name of French football to Ligue 1, it was clearly a marketing opportunity too good to pass up. Pogba was sent straight to work. First, he joined Zinedine Zidane for a video produced by their mutual sponsor, which garnered huge attention. Then, he took a trip to Saint Tropez with American influencer Darren Watkins Junior, who has 40 million followers under the name IShowSpeed. After that, he and his wife, Zulay, launched their new high-end jewellery brand, accompanied by a suitable social media campaign. Named 'Unbreakable', the jewellery collection is a direct nod to Pogba's recent travails. He was the victim in March 2022 of an attempt to extort 13 million euros ($15.1 million) from him by relatives, including his brother Mathias who was sentenced to three years in prison, with two years suspended, in 2024. Pogba was also injured for a long period and then suspended for 18 months after failing a drugs test while at Italian club Juventus in August 2023. - 'High intensity' - Since having his contract terminated by the Serie A outfit last November, Pogba had been living in the United States and training alone until Monaco came calling and offered him the chance to make his comeback. "A lot of boxes were ticked: the conditions, the lifestyle, France, Ligue 1, the family, and of course the club," explained Pogba, who will be playing club football in his home country for the first time in his professional career. Once back in a professional environment at Monaco, "the easy part was just beginning" for Pogba. If the exquisitely gifted ball-player was less worried about getting his touch back, rediscovering the fitness and intensity of an elite athlete would be more challenging. A month later, Pogba has moved on to the second phase of his programme: individualised work on the pitch, often with the ball. "I'm determined," he said on his arrival. "I want to get back on the pitch. But it will take as long as it takes." "Everything is going in the right direction," Monaco general manager Thiago Scuro told AFP. "He has started sessions on the pitch and is making progress. The timing is on track, the process is positive, with no red flags or setbacks so far." Pogba's progress is been closely monitored by Monaco coach Adi Huetter, who so far is impressed by his commitment and how quickly he has integrated into a squad in which he is the elder statesman. For Scuro the key moment will be "when (Pogba) is able to participate in all training sessions with the group". "The intensity, pressure and level are very high. He will have to be able to repeat this training load on a daily basis. We will then see how his body adapts." Should all go to plan, Pogba could return to competition in the autumn -- perhaps even in time for the home match against fierce rivals Nice on October 5. "We really want to see him succeed," said Scuro. "It's going to be a great story. The most special thing would be to see him play in the World Cup (in 2026). That would mean he's done a lot of good things in Monaco." cb/nip/nf/pi
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Euro 2025: France team guide – will drastic changes transform their fortunes?
France — always in the mix in the major tournaments of the women's game, yet still without a trophy. As the 2019 World Cup's hosts, they lost to eventual champions the United States in the quarter-finals and failed to build a legacy from that tournament. Advertisement Corinne Diacre managed them to a Euro 2022 semi-final but was sacked the following March after the French Football Federation (FFF) said the 'fracture' between players and hierarchy seemed 'irreversible'. Herve Renard brought fresh hope, but left his post last summer after back-to-back quarter-final exits from the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics, which were also staged in France. Who is the manager? Laurent Bonadei, who has previously Renard's assistant, is a man prepared to shake things up, having chosen not to select French legends Wendie Renard (168 caps) and Eugenie Le Sommer (200) for Euro 2025. More on that below. The 55-year-old stepped up to the top job following the Olympics in August, signing a contract until 2027, with France's FA saying it wanted a coach familiar with the French national team and women's football. This is his first senior managerial position, having worked under Renard with the Saudi Arabia men's national team and then France's women. He previously coached youth and reserve sides in the men's game at Paris Saint-Germain and Nice respectively. Advertisement Now, his aim is delivering major-tournament success for his country. How do they play? France set up most often in a 4-3-3 but can also play with a back three. Bonadei wants them to be comfortable in both systems. At times, Sandie Toletti drops deeper as the single 'pivot' (holding midfielder), with creative players Grace Geyoro and Sakina Karchaoui pushing forward as the two 'No 8s' (central midfielders). With the speed of Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore and the support of full-backs, France can press aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch and launch quick and direct counter-attacks. There is also more pace in the new centre-back partnership of Griedge Mbock and Maelle Lakrar. Advertisement France use their width well, especially on the left with Selma Bacha, a front-footed full-back, and Karchaoui, who puts in teasing crosses. They have occasionally lacked efficiency in front of goal, though. Who are their three most influential players? Add Baltimore, who is coming off a standout debut season at Chelsea, to the dynamic duo of Bacha and Karchaoui, and you have a terrifying trio on the left side. Away from the flair, Paris Saint-Germain captain Geyoro is key to maintaining control in midfield and linking play. Keep an eye on striker Katoto, who was the top scorer at last summer's Olympics, scoring five goals even as her team only won two of their four games. What weakness might other teams exploit? Consecutive quarter-final exits at the World Cup and the Olympics (making it eight defeats at that stage of tournaments for France's women since 2009) raise the question: can they handle the pressure? Despite an abundance of talent, the French have consistently failed to get the job done. New captain Mbock must create a collective greater than the sum of its parts. Any notable absentees? Oh, yes! Bonadei surprisingly omitted former captain Renard, France women's all-time top goalscorer Le Sommer and San Diego Wave's Kenza Dali even before their Nations League games a month ago against Switzerland and Iceland. These 'historic' players, in the coach's words, have 444 caps between them. Advertisement 'As Einstein said, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result',' Bonadei told a news conference in May. 'I want different results for this team, so I have gone with a different selection.' What is their strongest starting XI? How have they performed over the past 12 months? After a disappointing performance at their home Olympics under Renard, Bonadei kicked off his tenure with some patchy results: two wins and two defeats, with eight goals scored but seven conceded, including a 4-2 loss to world champions Spain. Since the turn of the year, they have performed very well, winning all six of their Nations League matches. France conceded just two goals and topped their group, qualifying for a semi-final against Germany in October with two games to spare. Advertisement The absences of Renard, Le Sommer and Dali did not seem to rock the boat, and there have been convincing wins in the run-up to the tournament, albeit against a mixed standard of opposition — Switzerland (4-0), Iceland (2-0), Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2). What are they expected to achieve at these Euros? When Renard was appointed, he and the FFF agreed on two key objectives: to reach at least the semi-finals at the 2023 World Cup and last year's Paris-hosted Olympics. Neither happened. This time around the FFF has avoided setting such ambitions and Bonadei has even called his team outsiders, all with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. Of course, both parties would love to win but realistically reaching the semi-finals would meet expectations. Advertisement They face stern opposition in their group: reigning champions England await in the opening game, while their third and final match against the Netherlands could prove crucial to their hopes of progressing to the knockouts. Wales will hardly roll over in the middle game, either. Did you know? Katoto has had rotten luck with major tournaments. The Paris Saint-Germain No 9 was not selected for the 2019 World Cup despite finishing as the French top flight's leading goalscorer the previous season, then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in the second group game at Euro 2022 and did not recover from it in time to play in the World Cup a year later. This article originally appeared in The Athletic. France, Women's Soccer, Women's Euros 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
28-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Euro 2025: France team guide – will drastic changes transform their fortunes?
France — always in the mix in the major tournaments of the women's game, yet still without a trophy. As the 2019 World Cup's hosts, they lost to eventual champions the United States in the quarter-finals and failed to build a legacy from that tournament. Corinne Diacre managed them to a Euro 2022 semi-final but was sacked the following March after the French Football Federation (FFF) said the 'fracture' between players and hierarchy seemed 'irreversible'. Herve Renard brought fresh hope, but left his post last summer after back-to-back quarter-final exits from the 2023 World Cup and 2024 Olympics, which were also staged in France. Laurent Bonadei, who has previously Renard's assistant, is a man prepared to shake things up, having chosen not to select French legends Wendie Renard (168 caps) and Eugenie Le Sommer (200) for Euro 2025. More on that below. The 55-year-old stepped up to the top job following the Olympics in August, signing a contract until 2027, with France's FA saying it wanted a coach familiar with the French national team and women's football. This is his first senior managerial position, having worked under Renard with the Saudi Arabia men's national team and then France's women. He previously coached youth and reserve sides in the men's game at Paris Saint-Germain and Nice respectively. Now, his aim is delivering major-tournament success for his country. France set up most often in a 4-3-3 but can also play with a back three. Bonadei wants them to be comfortable in both systems. At times, Sandie Toletti drops deeper as the single 'pivot' (holding midfielder), with creative players Grace Geyoro and Sakina Karchaoui pushing forward as the two 'No 8s' (central midfielders). Advertisement With the speed of Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto and Sandy Baltimore and the support of full-backs, France can press aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch and launch quick and direct counter-attacks. There is also more pace in the new centre-back partnership of Griedge Mbock and Maelle Lakrar. France use their width well, especially on the left with Selma Bacha, a front-footed full-back, and Karchaoui, who puts in teasing crosses. They have occasionally lacked efficiency in front of goal, though. Add Baltimore, who is coming off a standout debut season at Chelsea, to the dynamic duo of Bacha and Karchaoui, and you have a terrifying trio on the left side. Away from the flair, Paris Saint-Germain captain Geyoro is key to maintaining control in midfield and linking play. Keep an eye on striker Katoto, who was the top scorer at last summer's Olympics, scoring five goals even as her team only won two of their four games. Consecutive quarter-final exits at the World Cup and the Olympics (making it eight defeats at that stage of tournaments for France's women since 2009) raise the question: can they handle the pressure? Despite an abundance of talent, the French have consistently failed to get the job done. New captain Mbock must create a collective greater than the sum of its parts. Oh, yes! Bonadei surprisingly omitted former captain Renard, France women's all-time top goalscorer Le Sommer and San Diego Wave's Kenza Dali even before their Nations League games a month ago against Switzerland and Iceland. These 'historic' players, in the coach's words, have 444 caps between them. 'As Einstein said, 'Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result',' Bonadei told a news conference in May. 'I want different results for this team, so I have gone with a different selection.' After a disappointing performance at their home Olympics under Renard, Bonadei kicked off his tenure with some patchy results: two wins and two defeats, with eight goals scored but seven conceded, including a 4-2 loss to world champions Spain. Since the turn of the year, they have performed very well, winning all six of their Nations League matches. France conceded just two goals and topped their group, qualifying for a semi-final against Germany in October with two games to spare. The absences of Renard, Le Sommer and Dali did not seem to rock the boat, and there have been convincing wins in the run-up to the tournament, albeit against a mixed standard of opposition — Switzerland (4-0), Iceland (2-0), Belgium (5-0) and Brazil (3-2). When Renard was appointed, he and the FFF agreed on two key objectives: to reach at least the semi-finals at the 2023 World Cup and last year's Paris-hosted Olympics. Neither happened. This time around the FFF has avoided setting such ambitions and Bonadei has even called his team outsiders, all with an eye on the 2027 World Cup. Of course, both parties would love to win but realistically reaching the semi-finals would meet expectations. They face stern opposition in their group: reigning champions England await in the opening game, while their third and final match against the Netherlands could prove crucial to their hopes of progressing to the knockouts. Wales will hardly roll over in the middle game, either. Katoto has had rotten luck with major tournaments. The Paris Saint-Germain No 9 was not selected for the 2019 World Cup despite finishing as the French top flight's leading goalscorer the previous season, then suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) knee injury in the second group game at Euro 2022 and did not recover from it in time to play in the World Cup a year later.
