Juventus could block Paul Pogba's attempts to watch the World Cup final in Qatar. The France midfielder has been absent from the tournament due to a knee injury he sustained earlier this season and has had to watch on from the sidelines, but he's unlikely to get any closer to the action.
With both N'Golo Kante and Pogba injured for the tournament - the pairing that drove Didier Deschamps' side to win the competition in 2018 - France have relied upon a midfield trio including Aurelien Tchouameni, Andrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann.
Les Bleus have also had to deal with a spate of other missing players, with Chelsea-bound Christopher Nkunku ruled out in the week before the opening match, Karim Benzema withdrawn late on and Lucas Hernandez being taken off in the first match.
READ MORE: Rafael Leao Chelsea transfer mission must overcome one Romelu Lukaku question before £100m move
Despite these setbacks, France have come through against all their opponents and have reached a second successive final. They face Argentina this afternoon (Sunday) but may not have the in-person support of Pogba.
According to French publication L'Equipe, his club side aren't keen on him flying out to the Middle East whilst nursing his injury. Pogba has had a problematic return to Italy and hasn't played yet this season. Although he was keen to try and recover in time for Qatar 2022, he isn't yet ready to play.
Juve don't want his injury to be aggravated and are expected to block Pogba from going to Qatar to join his international teammates, despite this going against the desire of the nation's president Emmanuel Macron, who wants to get as many French players and fans there to support them as possible.
Pogba has sent a message to his friends in blue regardless though, saying, "Together! I am with you. I give you all my strength. All my strength has this group there. That's my band, that's my guys.”
Although Pogba was never going to play, Benzema's possibility of being involved was raised before the final, with Deschamps being asked if the Real Madrid forward would be welcomed back into the set-up with a view to adding another player to the matchday squad - France only have 25 players available after not choosing to replace him - but the manager was coy on the suggestion, replying: "I don't really want to answer that question. Next question. I do apologise."
READ NEXT:
Todd Boehly's crucial Chelsea January transfer choice to set tone following Armando Broja injury
Todd Boehly inventive £21m Borussia Dortmund plan can break Chelsea January transfer trend
Chelsea's Joao Felix transfer stance revealed following Armando Broja injury news
Ziyech, Hutchinson - Six Chelsea stars to be impacted by Armando Broja's season-ending injury
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Latest news, rumours and gossip from Stamford Bridge
