Paul Pogba, a key member of France’s World Cup-winning squad in Russia four years ago, will miss this year’s tournament due to knee and thigh injuries.
The 29-year-old former Manchester United star has not played since rejoining Juventus in the summer after suffering a knee injury in pre-season. He was supposed to return in September, but he has had two major setbacks on his road to recovery.
Pogba had surgery on his torn meniscus, leaving his World Cup hopes hanging by a thread. He returned to first-team training earlier this month, but now has a thigh injury that means he won’t be able to play for France in Qatar.
“It is extremely painful to inform Paul Pogba that he will still require recovery time from his surgery,” his agent, Rafaela Pimenta, confirmed on Monday.
“As a result, Paul will be unable to join the Juventus squad before the World Cup break, nor the French National Team in Qatar.” Paul would be playing tomorrow if wishful thinking worked.
“However, what changes things are hard work, resilience, and discipline, which are the only things on Paul’s mind during these trying times.” Paul will continue to work hard to return to the field for the fans and his team as soon as possible.”
France will open the tournament against Australia on November 22 in Al-Wakrah.
Pogba was not expected to play any first-team football before the tournament due to a knee injury, but it was hoped that he would be ready to face Australia. France manager Didier Deschamps was desperate to include his star midfielder in his 26-man squad and had even considered naming Pogba even if he couldn’t play in the group stage.
However, Pogba’s injury means he won’t play in Qatar at all, making him the second major French midfielder to be ruled out, following the announcement that Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante – Pogba’s central midfield partner four years ago – will also be absent.
Kante has a hamstring injury that will keep him out until the new year, so Deschamps must assemble a new-look midfield, with Real Madrid duo Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, as well as ex-Arsenal man Matteo Guendouzi, all in contention for starting. spots.
France, which defeated Croatia 4-2 in the final four years ago in Russia, is one of the favorites to win this year’s tournament. They may also be without key defender Raphael Varane, who suffered an injury in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea earlier this month. His current condition is unknown, but it is hoped that he will be fine by the time the competition begins in less than three weeks.