Paul Pogba may not be able to play in the World Cup final for France, but he is proving to be an enthusiastic cheerleader for his teammates.
Pogba was unavailable for selection due to a knee injury he sustained in July, with the midfielder joining the likes of N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe, Christopher Nkunku and Karim Benzema on the sidelines. The Juventus midfielder was a key player for Didier Deschamps’ side at the 2018 World Cup and was considered a big miss for Les Bleus.
The 29-year-old is focusing on his rehabilitation after his injury required surgery, but he is also doing his best to inspire the France team, who take on Argentina in the World Cup final at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. He has flown out to Qatar to watch the game and has sent a supportive message to his colleagues before kick-off.
“Okay guys, for a second time guys, in the World Cup final. And this is a second time in a row, so I give you all my support, all my strength," he said in a video posted on social media. "A final you know, it is not played, it is won! I wish you the best. Good luck to you. Go Blues!”
Juventus were reportedly not keen on the idea of him flying out to Qatar for the game, but he will join French president Emmanuel Macron, sports minister Amélie Oudéa-Castera and fellow injured stars Kante and Kimpembe, according to Le Parisien.
Pogba advertised his presence in Doha by posting a picture of him alongside former Manchester United teammate Rio Ferdinand in the gym. “Always good to see you @rioferdy5,” he wrote. Ferdinand is in Qatar working as a pundit for the BBC.
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Pogba also sent his teammate a message before the semi-final against Morocco. “Together! I am with you. I give you all my strength. All my strength to this group,” he said in another video. “This is my group, those are my boys!”
His support of the team is particularly notable considering the reported fallout between Benzema and Deschamps. Like Pogba, Benzema was ruled out of the tournament due to injury, although he did fly out to Qatar with the squad before suffering a thigh problem in the build-up to the opening Australia game.
Benzema returned to Madrid to undergo rehabilitation for his injury and has since returned to Real Madrid training, sparking speculation he could return for the final, given he was named in the squad for the tournament.
However, that possibility was quashed by Benzema, who wrote "I'm not interested" on Instagram. L'Equipe has now reported that the 34-year-old has cut off all contact with France staff since his injury because he wanted to stay with the squad and see how his injury evolved, but Deschamps and team doctor Franck Le Gall did not see the point.
Nevertheless, he has sent his own message of support to the team, posting a picture of him holding up three fingers. The gesture is a reference to France’s quest to earn a third star for their third World Cup win, after 2018 and 1998.
