POGBA OUT OF WC
PAUL POGBA was a key part of the France squad that won the World Cup in Russia four years ago, but will play no part in this year’s tournament due to knee and thigh injuries.
Paul Pogba will miss this year’s World Cup through injury, his agent has confirmed.
The former Manchester United star, 29, hasn’t played since re-joining Juventus in the summer after picking up a knee injury in pre-season. He was initially expected to return in September but has suffered two significant setbacks on his road to recovery.
Pogba underwent surgery on his damaged meniscus to leave his World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. He did return to first-team training earlier this month but has now suffered a thigh injury that ensures he has no chance of featuring for France in Qatar.
“Following yesterday and today’s medical review in Torino and Pittsburgh, it is extremely painful to inform Paul Pogba will still need recovery time from his surgery,” his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, confirmed on Monday.
“For this reason, Paul will not be able to join the Juventus squad before the World Cup break nor the French National Team in Qatar. If wishful thinking would change things, Paul would be playing tomorrow.
“But what changes things are hard work, resilience and discipline, all of which are the only things in Paul’s mind at these challenging times. Paul will continue working giving his very best to be back on the pitch for the fans and his team as soon as possible.”
France’s tournament opener is against Australia in Al-Wakrah on November 22.
Pogba wasn’t expected to play any first-team football before the tournament due to his knee complaint, but it had been hoped that he would be fit in time to take on Australia. France manager Didier Deschamps had been desperate to have his star midfielder as part of his 26-man squad and had even contemplated naming Pogba even if he couldn’t feature at all in the group stage.