France midfielder Paul Pogba will miss their World Cup title defense after failing to recover from knee surgery in time for next month's tournament in Qatar, his agent said on Monday.
Pogba had an operation on a damaged meniscus in September but his agent said that, following a medical review, he would not be able to return to the Juventus squad or join up with France before the Nov. 20-Dec. 18 World Cup.
There have been very few bright spots for Juventus this season. On the back of the club’s humiliation in the Champions League midweek, a host of injuries forced manager Massimiliano Allegri’s hand as he utilized many of his younger players against Lecce. His faith was rewarded by Nicolò Fagioli, who scored a stunning goal to give the Bianconeri a 1-0 win.
If you've ever found yourself watching a Stoke City match, you probably noticed the towering Harry Souttar. At 6-6, Souttar is a large lad even for an EFL Championship center back. Harry's brother, John, is also a notable defender who features for Rangers and the Scottish national team.
But while John is a Scottish national, Harry — also an Aberdeen native — represents Australia (his mother's native land) when the international breaks come around.
The gulf in class between Juventus and the best sides in Europe has never been more clear. Despite a second-half goal from Weston McKennie, Massimiliano Allegri’s side was humbled in Paris as Kylian Mbappé, Neymar and Lionel Messi imposed their will on the Juve defense, winning 2-1.
France midfielder Paul Pogba said he is the victim of extortion attempts and threats from an organized gang and that authorities in Italy and France are investigating the matter.
Pogba, who rejoined Italian Serie A club Juventus in July following his departure from English Premier League side Manchester United, released a statement on Sunday after his brother Mathias Pogba posted a video online.
With nine successive Serie A titles followed by two campaigns where Champions League qualification seemed a shallow silver lining, Juventus’ fall from grace has been clear to see in recent years. This summer has seen several big names depart Turin, and the Bianconeri will be hard-pressed to find adequate replacements in order to once again fight for the Scudetto.
This weekend, Serie A kicks off following a transfer window that changed the dynamic of the entire league. Former favorites have failed to impress while good investments have helped others emerge as contenders.
A relatively unassuming first weekend of games gives way to a title fight that has the potential to include as many as five clubs. Relegation will be a trap door that many will need to be aware of, including some relatively big teams.
Juventus and FC Barcelona squared off in Dallas on Wednesday night for another preseason friendly. The teams displayed their attacking prowess for 90 minutes with the spoils ultimately shared finishing 2-2, but Weston McKennie, a Dallas-area native, was strangely kept on the bench.
Midfielders are the heartbeat of any soccer side. They control the pace of play, create chances, contribute to attack and defense and oversee the transition between the two. With technique, creativity and intelligence, a world class midfielder is a joy to watch.
From iconic legends to up-and-coming stars, the 2022 Qatar World Cup is filled to the brim with exceptional midfield players. Who rises to the top? Without further ado, here are the ten best 2022 World Cup midfielders, ranked.
Ten years after Paul Pogba left Manchester United to sign with Italian side Juventus on a free transfer, history repeated itself on Monday as the France midfielder bid farewell to the Premier League and returned to the Serie A club.
Pogba, who left United when his contract expired last month, has signed a four-year contract with Juventus that will tie the 29-year-old down with the Turin club until June 2026.