France midfielder Paul Pogba is set to miss the World Cup after suffering a setback during his recovery from injury. Pogba tore his meniscus in the preseason in July, so he hasn’t played for Juventus since returning this summer. With only three weeks to get back into shape, France plays Australia in their tournament opener on November 22 in Qatar.
“It pains me to say that Paul will still require recovery time from his surgery after the medical reviews yesterday and today in Pittsburgh and Torino. Paul won’t be allowed to join Juventus’ squad before the World Cup break or the French National Team in Qatar as a result of this,” Rafaela Peminta, agent of France midfielder Paul Pogba said. “Paul would be playing tomorrow if thinking positively could make a difference. Hard effort, resiliency, and discipline, however—which are the only things on Paul’s mind during these trying times—are what alter circumstances. Paul will keep working hard and do all in his power to go back on the field as soon as possible for the fans and his team.”
In a video shared on Twitter last month, the midfielder stated that he had successfully had surgery for a knee ailment and said that he is continuing to maintain his mental strength despite rumors about his personal life. The Frenchman, who has missed 59 games for club and country since the beginning of last season, takes the most recent development as a blow. Given the recent news that N’Golo Kante will miss the competition after undergoing surgery for a hamstring ailment, it also means that France manager Didier Deschamps will be missing both of the central midfielders who started the World Cup final in Russia four years ago.
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