Paul Pogba, who was a crucial part of the France squad when they lifted the 2018 World Cup in Moscow, is set to miss the FIFA flagship event this year, according to his agent Rafaela Pimenta, who replaced Mino Raiola after the latter’s death.

Pogba had picked up a thigh injury while training with his club side, Juventus. Pimenta, while commenting on his situation, said, “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” to Telefoot, a French football outlet.

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She further said, “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”, adding, “For this reason, Paul will not be able to join Juventus squad before the World Cup break nor the French National Team in Qatar. If wishful thinking would change things, Paul would be playing tomorrow.”

Pimenta also added that Pogba is relying on “hard work, resilience and discipline” to make a comeback to football as soon as possible. “Paul will continue working and giving his very best to be back on the pitch for the fans and his team as soon as possible”, she said.

The 29-year-old midfielder has been dealing with his knee injury since the 2022-23 pre-season.

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His exclusion from the France squad comes as a big blow to Les Bleus, who are also set to miss another midfielder, N’golo Kante of Chelsea, who has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury. 

The France team has not been that impressive in the UEFA Nations League, where they lost to Denmark and Croatia, and drew against Austria.

Besides the two French midfielders, another star footballer who will not be a part of the World Cup is Portugal’s Diogo Jota.