France head coach Didier Deschamps has revealed Paul Pogba’s roadmap back to the national team ahead of next year’s World Cup in the USA.
After being hit with an 18-month ban from football for testing positive in doping tests, Pogba is inching closer to his much-anticipated return to football. Over the summer, the former Manchester United and Juventus midfielder signed a two-year deal with Ligue 1 outfit Monaco and broke down in tears.
The France international has already expressed his ambition to feature for Les Bleus at next year’s World Cup but he will need to convince Deschamps.
Paul Pogba reacts during the international friendly match between Italy and France at Stadio San Nicola on September 1, 2016. (Photo by Federica Roselli/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Deschamps explained what the 32-year-old must do in order to earn a recall to Les Bleus’ squad.
He said: “Yes, he’s getting closer to the moment when he’ll become a football player again. A return to the French team? That he wants it and that it’s a goal in his mind, I have no doubt. After that, he has steps to take. The next one is when he has the Monaco jersey and sets foot on the pitch. I hope it goes well for him. After that, we’ll see. That’s all I wish for him, just to get through this first step. That will be a huge joy for him.
“Whether it’s possible [to return to the France team], if I say yes, it will be: ‘Wow, Pogba’s back.’ If I say no, I’ll look like an idiot, so that’s not going to work either. That’s all the bad I wish for him to already get through this first stage.”
Pogba last featured for French national team on March 29, 2022, in a friendly match against South Africa. France registered a comfortable 5-0 win, with Pogba assisting Wissam Ben Yedder’s goal to make it 4-0 after coming on as a substitute for Olivier Giroud in the 65th minute.
The former Manchester United midfielder is expected to make his Monaco debut this month, after Monaco manager confirmed earlier this week that the midfielder could be named in one of his squads after the international break.
