Paul Pogba France 2021Getty Images

Pogba OUT of World Cup! Agent confirms France and Juventus star will miss showpiece event in Qatar

  • Pogba out of World Cup
  • Picked up fresh thigh injury
  • More woes for Deschamps' France

WHAT HAPPENED? Rafaela Pimenta, agent of Pogba, has confirmed that the Frenchman will miss the upcoming World Cup in Qatar after picking up a thigh injury in training. The midfielder was trying to make a comeback from a knee injury that had thrown his involvement into doubt in the first place.

WHAT SHE SAID: Speaking to French outlet Telefoot, as quoted by Get French Football News, Pimenta explained: "Paul would like to return as quickly as he can but he has to arm himself with patience, work hard in these difficult times, and give his best to be back on the pitch for the fans and his team as soon as possible."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Upon making his return to Juventus in summer, Pogba suffered a knee injury in pre-season and has spent the time since recovering from surgery. The midfielder had been closing in on a return in previous weeks, with one eye on Qatar, but will now miss the tournament which he proved integral to helping France win in 2018.

Article continues below

Didier Deschamps is also without fellow midfielder N'Golo Kante, giving him a selection headache with less than a month until the World Cup as injuries cut through his typically star-studded squad.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

Paul Pogba France 2018 World CupGettyPaul Pogba 2022-23GettyPaul Pogba Juventus 2022Getty

WHAT NEXT FOR POGBA? After undergoing medical tests in Turin and Pittsburgh, Pogba must now focus his efforts on properly rehabilitating from his initial knee injury and overcoming the new thigh injury, in order to salvage what has so far been a dismal return to Juve in the second half of the season.

Advertisement