Paul Pogba reluctant to give up despite injury-hit Juventus return

Paul Pogba has broken his silence after picking up a season-ending injury in Juventus’ 2-0 home win over Cremonese last weekend.

After missing most of the season due to numerous fitness setbacks, the Frenchman returned to the fold recently, with Massimiliano Allegri hoping to have him available for the final stretch.

Pogba delivered a crucial injury-times assist to Federico Gatti in the first leg of the Italians’ Europa League semi-final tie against Sevilla last week before registering his first Serie A start in 2022/23 against Cremonese.

Little did he know it would be his last, as a low-grade thigh injury forced him to hobble off the field in tears after only 24 minutes, dropping the curtain on his nightmarish season in Turin.

Since he won’t be returning to the pitch for the remainder of the season, the 30-year-old will complete the Serie A season with only 104 minutes of top-flight action under his belt.

Following his latest physical setback, Pogba displayed signs of emotion in the immediate aftermath.

However, he took to Instagram to express his defiant message, sharing his feelings about what has been a catastrophic return to Italy so far.

“Hello to everyone – I think this is the right time to express myself after a long period of silence,” Pogba stated in his latest Instagram post.

“First of all, let me recap my season, which has been very complicated, with problems both on and off the field.

“As you know, it has been truly difficult for me and what happened was tough, above all mentally.

“I tried to take solace in what I love – playing football and working on the pitch, but that was not possible because I had a lot of bad luck physically.

“Now all I can do is be patient, but already today, I feel better mentally.

“So, I just wanted to tell you that I won’t give up – I won’t be beaten. I will give my all. Thank you again to everyone.”

With Pogba on the sidelines, Juventus slumped to a 2-1 extra-time defeat at Sevilla in the return leg, forfeiting the last chance to avoid a second straight trophyless season.

Despite his unfortunate comeback season, Pogba will stay at Juventus beyond the summer as the club decided to stick with their injury-prone playmaker, regardless of his limited playing time.

But after another thoroughly disappointing campaign, Allegri’s future at the club hangs by a thread, meaning the midfielder’s next outing for the Bianconeri could come under a different manager.