Paul Pogba was given a raucous reception by chanting France supporters in Dusseldorf as he made a rare public appearance ahead of his nation's Euro 2024 last-16 tie against Belgium.
The former Manchester United midfielder - who departed Old Trafford in 2022 - has largely remained out of the public domain ever since testing positive for a banned substance in September last year.
However, Pogba decided to show his support for Didier Deschamps' squad after accepting an invitation from the French national team for the knockout encounter.
Ahead of kick-off, the World Cup winner with France in 2018 attended the official fan zone where he interacted with thousands of Les Blues supporters that had gathered in the western German city.
Despite being locked in an ongoing fight to save his career after being hit with a four-year ban following the positive drug test, Pogba looked in good spirits on Monday and remains a favorite amongst France fans.
The 31-year-old was previously one of the most popular figures in the French dressing room and played an influential part in their World Cup triumph in Russia six years ago.
He also won the UEFA Nations League with his country and received a silver medal from Euro 2016 when France was beaten by Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal during the final in Paris.
He was regularly trusted to lead France's midfield by the manager, Deschamps, and was recognized as one of world football's best playmakers before failing the aforementioned doping test.
A video shared on social media ahead of France's last-16 contest shows Pogba filming himself in front of an army of delighted supporters that are bouncing around while chanting his name.
Repetitive shouts of 'Paulo Pogba' were heard as he beamed while being serenaded by fans who are expecting France to beat Belgium and progress to the quarter-finals.
Pogba was dressed in an all-black ensemble and sported braids as he grinned while filming himself on the stage inside the fan zone.
The former Man United star has decided he wants to show his support for his former France team-mates despite the allegations that continue to shroud his career.
Pogba, who is privately acknowledging he made an unknowing mistake in accepting a course of pills that resulted in his positive test for DHEA, wants to resume his playing career once the Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing against a four-year suspension has been heard.
