French midfielder Paul Pogba will miss his World Cup title defense after failing to recover from knee surgery in time for next month’s tournament in Qatar, his agent said on Monday.
Pogba underwent surgery for a damaged meniscus in September but his agent said following a medical examination he could not return to the club. Juventus team or join France before 20 Nov-Dec. 18 World Cup.
“Following the medical examination yesterday and today in Turin and Pittsburgh, it is extremely distressing to inform you (that) Paul Pogba will still need time to recover from his operation,” said his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
“For this reason, Paul will not be able to join the Juventus team before the World Cup break or the French team in Qatar. If wishful thinking changed things, Paul would play tomorrow.”
Pogba, 29,’s hopes of returning to action with Juve ahead of the World Cup were dashed early last month when manager Massimiliano Allegri said the Italian club would realistically only get him back in January.
Pogba returned to Juve at the end of the season after his contract with Manchester United expired, but he has yet to feature for the Serie A club after suffering a knee injury on their pre-tour -season.
Juve released a statement saying ‘in light of recent radiological examinations… (Pogba) must continue with his rehabilitation programme’.
France had already lost Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, who was ruled out for four months after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury this month.
Pogba was one of France’s most influential players in their 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final victory over Croatia as they lifted the title for the second time.
France, who are in Group D at this year’s World Cup, start their campaign against Australia on November 22 before facing Denmark and Tunisia.
Pogba underwent surgery for a damaged meniscus in September but his agent said following a medical examination he could not return to the club. Juventus team or join France before 20 Nov-Dec. 18 World Cup.
“Following the medical examination yesterday and today in Turin and Pittsburgh, it is extremely distressing to inform you (that) Paul Pogba will still need time to recover from his operation,” said his agent Rafaela Pimenta.
“For this reason, Paul will not be able to join the Juventus team before the World Cup break or the French team in Qatar. If wishful thinking changed things, Paul would play tomorrow.”
Pogba, 29,’s hopes of returning to action with Juve ahead of the World Cup were dashed early last month when manager Massimiliano Allegri said the Italian club would realistically only get him back in January.
Pogba returned to Juve at the end of the season after his contract with Manchester United expired, but he has yet to feature for the Serie A club after suffering a knee injury on their pre-tour -season.
Juve released a statement saying ‘in light of recent radiological examinations… (Pogba) must continue with his rehabilitation programme’.
France had already lost Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante, who was ruled out for four months after undergoing surgery for a hamstring injury this month.
Pogba was one of France’s most influential players in their 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final victory over Croatia as they lifted the title for the second time.
France, who are in Group D at this year’s World Cup, start their campaign against Australia on November 22 before facing Denmark and Tunisia.
