Paul Pogba blames ‘mental problems’ for his injury-ravaged season at Juventus

Paul Pogba has labeled his struggling return to Juventus as his most trying season in football after being hampered by lingering injuries that saw him spend most of the season in the treatment room.

The Frenchman returned to Juventus last summer following the expiry of his contract with Manchester United, with the Serie A side’s fan base celebrating the arrival of the World Cup winner.

However, things quickly turned sour when Pogba was hampered by a first pre-season injury and, despite being advised to have surgery, opted for a non-invasive treatment plan that didn’t work.

He then had knee surgery in September and missed the World Cup in Qatar with France while rehabilitation continued in Italy.

The 30-year-old eventually made his first competitive appearance of the seasonN for Juventus in a 2–2 draw with Torino in February, before being sidelined again a few days later with an injury while practicing free kicks in training.

The midfielder saw his season end prematurely as he was injured again in May

A final issue forced Pogba’s season to end prematurely when he picked up a minor thigh injury just 21 minutes into his first competitive start of the season.

The midfielder has now explained that ‘mental problems’ were the main reason for his injuries and defiantly stated that his ‘most important win’ will be overcoming a torrid season at Juventus.

“The injuries that happened this year are all due to mental problems. No season has ever tested me like this season,” he said Calcio Mercato.

“My most important victory will be to overcome these extra-sport obstacles once and for all.”

Pogba was a popular figure when he returned to the club who emerged on the scene during his breakthrough years, but irked Juventus supporters when he went skiing in December while recovering from injury.

At the time, he had not made a single appearance for Juventus during his second spell at the club and decided to respond by mocking critics who had criticized him for appearing on the slopes.

Pogba (left) scored just six Serie A appearances when he returned to Juventus last summer

The Frenchman cites ‘mental problems as reasons for his physical problems’

At the end of the season, Pogba again gave an update to the supporters and told his social media that he was feeling better mentally.

In May, Pogba said: “First of all, let me summarize my season, which has been very, very complicated, with problems both on and off the field.

“As you know, it’s been really hard for me and what happened was tough, especially mentally.

“I tried to find comfort in what I like: playing football and working on the field, but I couldn’t because I had a lot of bad luck physically. Now all I can do is be patient, but today I already feel better mentally,” he added.