Following his period of suspension, Paul Pogba has reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with AS Monaco. This move appears aimed at giving his career a much-needed new direction and potentially fighting for a spot in the French national team ahead of major future tournaments. Pogba`s return to France`s top flight follows a familiar pattern for French stars looking to reignite their form back home in Ligue 1.
Hatem Ben Arfa → OGC Nice (2015)
After disappointing spells in England with Newcastle and Hull City, Hatem Ben Arfa made his return to Ligue 1 by joining OGC Nice. There, he enjoyed an exceptional season, netting 17 goals and showcasing his rediscovered technical brilliance, winning over the fans and pundits alike. This spectacular comeback propelled him back to the highest level, ultimately leading to a recall to the French national team and a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Alexandre Lacazette → Olympique Lyonnais (2022)
Having seen his role at Arsenal diminish, `Laca` decided to rejoin his former club, Olympique Lyonnais, in a bid to relaunch his career. His return has been remarkably successful. He quickly took on a natural leadership role within the squad and rediscovered his scoring touch and overall performance levels – a classic example of a successful career revival.
Adrien Rabiot → Olympique de Marseille (2024)
After leaving Juventus as a free agent and reportedly being overlooked by some top European clubs, Adrien Rabiot opted for a move to Olympique de Marseille in September 2024 at the age of 29. Despite taking a pay cut, he swiftly became a key player, forming a promising partnership in midfield and bringing valuable stability to the Marseille team.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang → Olympique de Marseille (2023)
Following a challenging initial season at Chelsea where he struggled for playing time, the Franco-Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joined Olympique de Marseille. At OM, he successfully rediscovered his clinical goal-scoring instinct, netting crucial goals in both the Europa League and the domestic championship, quickly establishing himself as a vital offensive leader. This move reaffirmed his status as a high-level performer.
Jean-Pierre Papin → Bordeaux (1996)
The recipient of the 1991 Ballon d`Or, Jean-Pierre Papin returned to France in 1996 after experiences in Germany with Bayern Munich and Italy with Atalanta. Joining Bordeaux, he was part of the team`s memorable European run to the UEFA Cup final in 1996, playing alongside emerging talents like Zinedine Zidane and Christophe Dugarry. His return illustrated the sentiment that sometimes, there`s no place quite like home for a football star.
