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Juventus midfielder, Frenchman Paul Pogba. /AP
French midfielder Paul Pogba will miss their World Cup title defence after failing to recover from knee surgery in time for next month's tournament in Qatar, his agent said on Monday.
The The 29-year-old midfielder who plays for Italian outfit Juventus suffered a knee injury earlier this summer and is yet to make his second debut for his new club. It was hoped that he would return soon, but a thigh injury picked up in training has delayed his return once more.
"Following yesterday and today's medical review in Torino and Pittsburgh, it is extremely painful to inform (you that) Paul Pogba will still need recovery time from his surgery," his agent Rafaela Pimenta said.
"For this reason, Paul will not be able to join the 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."
France had already lost Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante, who was ruled out for four months after having an operation on a hamstring injury this month.
Pogba was one of France's most influential players in their 2018 World Cup triumph, scoring in the final victory over Croatia as they won the title for the second time.
France, who are in Group D at this year's World Cup, begin their campaign against Australia on Nov. 22 before playing Denmark and Tunisia.
(With input from Reuters)
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Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466