Benjamin Mendy: Former French defender from Lorient returns to the pitch after a two-year absence

Former France Defender Benjamin Mendy Returns to Professional Football

A Long-Awaited Comeback for Benjamin Mendy

After more than two years of absence, former France defender Benjamin Mendy made his highly-anticipated return to professional football on Sunday. The 29-year-old left-back impressed as he came off the bench during a thrilling showdown between Lorient and Monaco in Ligue 1, which ended in a pulsating 2-2 draw.

A Solitary Road Back to the Pitch

Mendy’s last appearance was with Manchester City back in August 2021 when his career took an unexpected turn. Shortly after that match, he faced serious charges related to rape allegations. Despite being suspended by City and enduring a lengthy legal battle, Mendy was eventually cleared of all charges both in July and January.

The New Chapter at Lorient

Lorient showed their faith in Mendy’s innocence by signing him following his clearance earlier this year. In July, they sealed a two-year contract with the talented defender who had previously commanded a hefty £52m transfer fee from Monaco back in 2017.

An Impactful Debut for Folarin Balogun

In what proved to be an eventful clash between Lorient and Monaco, former Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun wasted no time making an impact on his new team. Coming off the bench, he scored his debut goal for Monaco putting them ahead 2-1 on the 68th minute.

A Memorable Return for Mendy

Mendy’s long-awaited return to professional football finally materialized as he made his Lorient debut just two minutes after Balogun’s goal. The French defender showcased his determination and resilience, contributing to the team’s late equalizer deep into stoppage time through midfielder Romain Faivre, who is currently on loan from Bournemouth.