Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba is a major doubt for this winter’s World Cup in Qatar as he requires surgery to repair his injured knee.
The 29-year-old is yet to make his second debut for Juventus after returning to the club from Man Utd on a free transfer. He sustained an injury during pre-season and he now requires surgery to repair this issue.
France’s first World Cup match is against Australia on November 22 and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that Pogba will not play for them this year.
“This morning Pogba trained for the second time, but then stopped, and it was then decided that he undergo surgery,” Allegri said on Monday during a press conference ahead of their Champions League opener against Paris St Germain.
“We will realistically get him back in January.
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“The World Cup is not my problem, Juventus’ problem is that he comes back in January.”
Pogba rejoined Juventus this summer after his contract at Manchester United expired – six years on from his move to Old Trafford from the Serie A side for a then world-record £89million transfer fee.
The midfielder struggled to live up to his price tag during his time at Old Trafford as he was only able to impress in fits and starts.
His relationship with the club soured towards the end and footage emerged of a conversation that took place last summer between Pogba and his former agent, the late Mino Raiola.
During the dialogue, Pogba vented his frustrations that Man Utd approached Raiola instead of him over a potential new contract: