Paul Pogba's agent Rafaela Pimenta has revealed that the Juventus midfielder will miss the 2022 World Cup, having had a setback in his recovery from a knee problem.
The 29-year-old left Manchester United on a free transfer over the summer and was linked with a number of clubs before it was confirmed that he would be returning to Juventus.
The midfielder has not made a single appearance for the Old Lady since his return, though, having been forced to undergo an operation due to the knee injury that he picked up in July.
Pogba has been working with a view to being available for France at the World Cup, and he posted a positive update on his recovery earlier this month.
V happy to be on the green again! ⚪⚫ #ForzaJuve pic.twitter.com/fNv33MK9yj
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) October 18, 2022
However, Pogba has now been ruled out of the tournament by his agent, who claimed that his client still needs "recovery time from his surgery".
"Following yesterday and today's medical review in Torino and Pittsburgh, it is extremely painful to inform Paul will still need recovery time from his surgery. For this reason, Paul will not be able to join the Juventus squad before the World Cup break nor the French National Team in Qatar," Pimenta said in a statement.
"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."
Juventus posted an update of his condition on Monday, but the Italian champions did not say that the midfielder would be missing for his country in Qatar.
© Reuters
"Paul Pogba, in light of the recent radiological examinations performed at J|Medical and the consultation carried out in Pittsburgh by Prof. Volker Musahl on the evaluation of his knee, needs to continue his rehabilitation program," read a statement from Juventus.
Pogba has made 91 appearances for France, contributing 11 goals and nine assists in the process, and he was a part of the team that lifted the World Cup in 2018.
The midfielder had a disappointing 2021-22 campaign for Man United, only managing 27 appearances in all competitions, before leaving the Red Devils on a free transfer for the second time in his career.
France will also be without the services of Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante for the competition, which is due to officially begin on November 20, with Qatar taking on Ecuador in Group A.
The reigning champions will face Australia, Denmark and Tunisia in the group stage of the tournament.
Matt Law
