For the first time in over a year, Paul Pogba, wearing the Juventus jersey, played only 25 minutes due to an injury in the match against Cremonese (2-0) in Serie A.
After taking a shot, the 2018 World Cup champion immediately stopped and lay on the field during the 35th matchday. Juventus’ medical staff provided him with initial treatment, apparently focused on his left thigh. Pogba then left the field walking, concealing his face under his jersey, accompanied by applause from the Juventus Stadium crowd. According to the Italian press, the French international is suffering from a quadriceps injury in his left leg.
Nicknamed “La Pioche,” the midfielder returned to Juventus last summer after spending six years at Manchester United. He had not started an official match since April 2022, back when he was still wearing the Red Devils’ jersey.
Even on Saturday, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri doubted whether Pogba would be able to play a full match due to his period of unavailability until February. However, he still decided to start him on Sunday evening in an offensive role behind the striker Dusan Vlahovic. It was a “surprise” starting lineup, even for the player himself, as Allegri revealed on DAZN.
In the post-match press conference, the Italian coach expressed his sadness after Pogba’s muscle injury relapse. “We are all sorry because Paul was in very good shape,” said the Juventus Turin coach. “He had made a lot of sacrifices. He felt a pain in his quadriceps. Paul is a man, he has three children, and he has broad enough shoulders to overcome this muscle injury. When you start a match after so much effort, you increase the risks. We are waiting for him.”
At 30 years old, Pogba had made several appearances in the last month, finally playing regularly after being unavailable until February due to a knee operation, and then suffering another muscle injury (right thigh) in March.
