France star Paul Pogba will miss the 2022 World Cup, his agent Rafaela Pimenta has confirmed.
Pogba looked set to win his fitness battle earlier this month when he returned to training with Juventus following surgery on his meniscus in September.
However, Pogba suffered another setback, as reports said the midfielder is now dealing with a strained muscle in his thigh.
“Following yesterday and today’s medical review in Turin and Pittsburgh, it is extremely painful to inform Paul Pogba will still need recovery time from his surgery,” Pimenta said in a statement.
“For this reason, Paul will not be able to join 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.”
The 29-year-old has still yet to make his second debut for Juventus after rejoining the Serie A club on a free transfer from Manchester United this summer.
The midfielder initially chose a non-surgical regimen to rehab his injury, but lasted through just two training sessions before it became clear his knee wasn’t quite right.
Pogba joins N’Golo Kanté as key midfielders in France’s 2018 World Cup title run that will miss out on the defense in Qatar. Kanté is out four months after a setback to his troublesome hamstring injury.
Another vital player for France, Raphaël Varane, is in a race against time to be fit for Qatar, as the Manchester United defender has already been ruled out for his club until after the World Cup.
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