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Featured Image Credit: Alamy & Instagram/PaulPogba
Topics: Paul Pogba, Juventus, France, Football World Cup, Football, Serie A
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: Paul Pogba, Juventus, France, Football World Cup, Football, Serie A
Paul Pogba could miss the entirety of the World Cup in Qatar after suffering a knee injury just days after joining Juventus from Manchester United.
Pogba officially rejoined the Italian club on a four-year deal earlier this month after coming to the end of the contract at Old Trafford.
But his return to the club hasn't gone to plan, with the midfielder suffering a tear of the lateral meniscus in his right knee in training last week.
Pogba will now visit a specialist consultant to determine what treatment is needed.
The 29-year-old was initially expected to undergo surgery in the United States, where Juventus will continue their pre-season tour with a friendly against European champions Real Madrid on Sunday.
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But he has instead flown back to Italy for further assessment.
Italian newspaper La Gazetta dello Sport claim there are two potential courses of treatment for Pogba, with one possibly ruling him out until 2023.
The first option would be to remove a piece of the meniscus, which would roughly sideline Pogba for 40 to 60 days.
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However, this treatment is said to be more suited to younger players and could affect the midfielder's mobility.
The less risky option is to suture the lesion, but it could require Pogba to miss four to five months of football.
Should he take the second option, Pogba is unlikely to be fit in time for the World Cup in Qatar, which gets underway on November 21.
Defending champions France face Australia in their opening match the following day, before taking on Denmark and Tunisia in their remaining group games.
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Pogba will now consult a specialist before making a decision on what approach to take.
In a statement released before Pogba's return to Italy, Juventus confirmed the midfielder would require surgery.
"Following complaining of pain in his right knee, Paul Pogba underwent radiological examinations that revealed a lesion of the lateral meniscus," read the statement.
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"In the next few hours he will undergo a specialist orthopedic consultation.
"Therefore, in order to continue treatment, he is not taking part in the trip to Dallas."