France Star Paul Pogba to Miss World Cup Due to Injury Setback

Paul Pogba has been ruled out of the upcoming World Cup due to a series of injury setbacks, according to his agent.

The 29-year-old France star, who was an integral part of the World Cup-winning side in 2018, has struggled through a host of injuries over the last year. After initially opting out of meniscus surgery, Pogba went under the knife in September in the hopes of being ready for the World Cup.

But after another setback, Pogba, who hasn’t played for Juventus since arriving this summer from Manchester United, will not be a part of France’s title defense. 

“Following yesterday and today’s medical review in Torino and Pittsburgh, it is extremely painful to inform Paul Pogba will still need recovery time from his surgery,” Pogba’s agent, Rafaela Pimenta said in a statement to AFP.

“For this reason, Paul will not be able to join Juventus’ squad before the World Cup break nor the French National Team in Qatar.”

It has been a roller coaster year for Pogba. The Juventus midfielder is at the center of an ongoing blackmail scandal investigating allegations that he was the target of an extortion plot by his brother and childhood friends, who allegedly demanded 13 million euros from the star. Pogba also told investigators that the group wanted to undermine him by claiming the star resorted to witchcraft to curse France teammate Kylian Mbappé, who backed Pogba’s denial. 

France’s midfield in Qatar will look drastically different to the 2018-winning side with N’Golo Kante also ruled out for the World Cup. Earlier this month, the Chelsea star needed surgery on his injured hamstring that will rule him out for the next four months. 

France will play its first game in Qatar on Nov. 22 against Australia before facing Denmark and Tunisia to complete the group stage.