Pogba tests positive for COVID-19, withdraws from France squad
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the 27-year-old to withdraw from France's squad for the upcoming round of Nations League matches, manager Didier Deschamps confirmed Thursday.
Pogba will self-isolate for the next 14 days and miss the start of United's training camp. However, he could return in time for the club's Premier League opener against Crystal Palace on Sept. 19.
Eduardo Camavinga, the 17-year-old who rose to stardom last season with Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes, replaced Pogba in Deschamps' team, earning his first international call-up in the process.
In another surprising move, Deschamps recalled Adrien Rabiot two years after the Frenchman refused to be selected as one of Les Bleus' reserve players for the 2018 World Cup. Rabiot made his last international appearance in a World Cup qualifier in October 2017.
Les Bleus seront de retour lundi !! 🤩 #FiersdetreBleus #SUEFRA #FRACRO pic.twitter.com/EI97sEvYh6
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) August 27, 2020
France will kick off the Nations League campaign against Sweden on Sept. 5 and host Croatia at the Stade de France on Sept. 9. Both games will be played behind closed doors.