France and Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba was not expected to support his countrymen in Qatar, with his club keen for him to miss the World Cup final.
Despite reports that his club Juventus did not want him to attend the World Cup final, France international Paul Pogba was spotted with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Pogba, who scored the winning goal for France in the 2018 World Cup final, returned to Juventus this summer after a spell with Manchester United. He has yet to make his second appearance for the club, however, due to an injury sustained during pre-season, which also prevented him from participating in the World Cup in Qatar.
The 29-year-old has been showing his support from afar, but has not joined the squad. In the run-up to the final, it was reported that Juve had barred him from flying over, but he was eventually allowed to attend.
Pogba was among those photographed as cameras panned around the Lusail Stadium before Argentina’s match against France. Not only that, but he was spotted near Infantino, with France’s President Emmanuel Macron also present.
“Together! I agree with you “Pogba made the remarks in a video message prior to France’s semi-final victory over Morocco. “I give you my entire strength. This group has all of my strength. That’s my band, those are my guys.”
The former Manchester United star was not the only member of Les Bleus’ squad to sustain an injury. N’Golo Kante, Christopher Nkunku, and Presnel Kimpembe all suffered injuries ahead of France’s first group game, as did 2022 Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who was seriously injured in the opener against Australia.
“With his personality, Paul takes up a lot of space in this France team, but I am convinced that there are other young leaders who can emerge,” veteran striker Olivier Giroud said after Pogba’s absence was confirmed. “I, too, will play the role of big brother to the younger siblings, being available to them and speaking up when necessary.”
Former Germany star Philipp Lahm had previously chastised Infantino. The Bayern Munich stalwart, who was part of his country’s World Cup-winning squad in 2014, was accused of lacking integrity.
“FIFA’s credibility with the top representative has continued to erode.” “Lahm wrote. Gianni Infantino is increasingly giving the impression that he is not looking for the best football solution and that he lacks integrity.
“Infantino does not appear to be interested in making any changes. He takes advantage of the situation. That is the issue with FIFA, a European-based organization, not with football. And that can only be changed in the future by finally relying on a reasonable, transparent award procedure.”