Pogba undergoes knee surgery, could miss France's World Cup defense

Paul Pogba's return to Juventus' training pitches was short-lived after tests determined the midfielder required knee surgery, which he underwent Monday.

The Italian club said the operation was a "complete success."

The 29-year-old is therefore a huge doubt for France's defense of its World Cup crown this winter. Pogba played the first half of a preseason friendly against Chivas de Guadalajara after rejoining Juventus in July but has since been sidelined with a torn meniscus.

"I hope we get him back before the World Cup," Juventus head coach Massimiliano Allegri said Monday, according to The Athletic's James Horncastle. "But ... the World Cup isn't my problem. Juve's problem is he comes back in January."

Allegri added on Pogba's latest setback: "This morning he trained for the second time, but then stopped, and it was then decided that he undergo surgery."

Pogba should take around 40-60 days to recover from meniscus surgery, according to multiple reports.

France's World Cup campaign kicks off against Australia on Nov. 22. Juventus' final match before some of their players leave for the tournament in Qatar is Lazio's visit on Nov. 13.

Pogba started only 16 Premier League games for Manchester United last season due to injury issues and not being a guaranteed starter under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick when fit. He left the club when his contract expired at the end of June.