Paul Pogba could be forced to miss the 2022 Qatar World Cup with midfielder 'facing surgery that will rule him out until 2023'

 

Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba could be ruled out of this year's World Cup in Qatar with a knee injury he suffered in training.

 

The French midfielder, who officially rejoined the Italian giants earlier this month, will visit a specialist consultant to determine what treatment is needed after he was diagnosed with a tear of the lateral meniscus in his right knee after limping off the training field in Los Angeles last week.

 

 

The 29-year-old has flown back to Italy to see a specialist as his club continue their pre-season tour in US.

 

There are two potential approaches for his injury and one could see him miss the World Cup as it may keep the midfielder on the sidelines until 2023, according to La Gazetta dello Sport. 

 

 

Mail Online also report that one option would be to remove a piece of the meniscus, which would rule Pogba out for 40 to 60 days roughly, but that operation is suited to younger players and could affect his mobility.

 

The other option would be to suture the lesion, but that could require a lengthy four to five months on the sidelines, and with the World Cup fast approaching in November and December it would seem unlikely that he would feature for France.

 

Pogba will now visit a specialist before making a decision on what approach to take with his latest injury.

 

 

In a statement issued prior to Pogba returning to Italy, Juventus said:  'Following complaining of pain in his right knee, Paul Pogba underwent radiological examinations that revealed a lesion of the lateral meniscus.

 

'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.'