His management stated on Monday that Paul Pogba will miss France’s World Cup defense because he needs more time to heal from knee surgery.
“After yesterday and today’s medical evaluations in Turin and Pittsburgh, it is terribly difficult to report that Paul Pogba will still require recovery time from his surgery,” Rafaela Pimenta said in a statement.
“Because of this, Paul will not be able to join Juventus before the World Cup break, nor will he be able to join the French national team in Qatar.”
Already on Friday, Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri stated that it was “very unlikely” that the 29-year-old midfielder will feature for his squad before the World Cup break.
Italian media reported early on Monday that Pogba’s thigh injury might sideline him for approximately 15 days.
After injuring the meniscus in his right knee in July, Pogba has not played for Juventus since re-signing from Manchester United in the offseason.
He initially decided not to undergo surgery in order to compete in the Qatar competition, which begins on November 20.
After returning to training early last month, Pogba changed his mind and opted for surgery, keeping him out of action until two weeks ago, when he resumed partial training with Juventus.
Pogba’s exclusion from the World Cup is another blow in a difficult year for him, since he is also allegedly involved in an extortion conspiracy involving his brother.
Mathias Pogba, 32, and four others close to the World Cup champion who filed a complaint with Turin prosecutors in July alleging he was being blackmailed for €13 million were prosecuted last month.
Paul Pogba told investigators that his blackmailers attempted to defame him by stating he ordered a marabout (holy man) to put a spell on Kylian Mbappe, a top player for Paris Saint-Germain and France, which Pogba rejects.