Germany and RB Leipzig striker, Timo Werner is the latest football star set to miss out on the 2022 World cup along with France midfielder Paul Pogba due to ongoing knee problems. Pogba returned to training with Juventus only this month following surgery on his right knee in early September.
Paul hasn’t played since returning to Juventus from Manchester United, and was injured again. Tests in Turin and Pittsburgh confirmed the 29-year-old Pogba will not be fit in time for the World Cup. “We won’t see him until 2023 and his entourage have confirmed that also he will be out of the World Cup,” a Juventus spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday.
His agent, Rafaela Pimenta also released a statement. “After medical exams yesterday and today, it is extremely painful to announce that Paul Pogba needs more rehabilitation after his operation,” she said. “For that reason, Paul can’t be part of the France team in Qatar.”
Pogba joins compatriots Ngolo Kante, Blaise Matuidi, while defender Raphael Varane, Lucas Hernandez, Mike Maignan, Lucas Digne are doubtful amongst others on an ever growing list of top players who will be missing out on the showpiece in Qatar in 3 weeks time.
For England, players like Reece James, Kalvin Philips, Kyle Walker, Emile Smith Rowe are set to miss while Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is a doubt.
Portugal are set to miss Diogo Jota, Pedro Neto, Ricardo Pereira, Nuno Mendez and veteran defender Pepe.
Other top players set to miss out on the tournament include Uruguay’s Ronald Araujo, Netherland’s Georgino Wijnaldum, Mexico’s Raul Jimeniez and Jesus Corona, Germany’s Florian Wirtz, Brazil’s Artur Melo and Denmark’s Andreas Christensen.