Another injury setback for Paul Pogba as he breaks down in tears after 21 minutes of his first start in over a year for Juventus.
Paul Pogba’s long-awaited return to the starting line-up for Juventus ended in agony on Sunday night, as the midfielder had to be replaced after just 21 minutes of action due to an injury.
The 30-year-old had not started a competitive match since April 2022, when he limped off the pitch during Manchester United’s 4-0 defeat by Liverpool. He left the Red Devils on a free transfer in the summer of 2022 and rejoined his former club Juventus, but his comeback has been hampered by injury problems.
He had only made three appearances as a substitute for the Italian champions this season, and was hoping to regain his form and fitness against Cremonese at the Allianz Stadium.
Juventus won the game 2-0, but Pogba’s night was cut short after he tried a spectacular shot from outside the box. The Frenchman twisted his body and curled the ball towards the goal, but he immediately felt pain and signalled to the bench.
He was visibly distraught as he left the field, crying and covering his face with his shirt. Pogba had faced criticism from some fans who accused him of not taking his recovery seriously, after he was spotted dancing on a ski slope while still undergoing rehabilitation.
His latest injury will be a huge disappointment for him and his manager Max Allegri, who had praised him for being available for selection again.
