Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) faces a challenging period after key players sustained significant injuries during their 4-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes. Star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, a severe injury that typically requires surgery and an extended recovery period. The club announced on Wednesday that Kvaratskhelia is scheduled for an operation in the coming days, with his return to play expected to take several months. This injury could sideline the Georgia international for most, if not all, of the current season.
Kvaratskhelia was forced off the pitch before the hour mark after landing awkwardly in an attempt to make a defensive play early in the second half. In a message posted on Instagram, Kvaratskhelia expressed his disappointment, noting that he had prepared extensively for the match but was still caught off guard by the injury. The 25-year-old former Napoli player has become a crucial figure for PSG, helping the club secure consecutive Champions League titles in recent years.
In addition to Kvaratskhelia’s injury, PSG also faces absences due to thigh muscle injuries sustained by Ousmane Dembélé and team captain Marquinhos. Dembélé, who holds the current Ballon d’Or and scored six goals in the recent World Cup, left the field after 19 minutes clutching his left thigh following a sprint. Marquinhos, a veteran defender who has made over 500 appearances for PSG since 2013, was substituted in the 58th minute due to a right thigh injury. Both players are expected to be sidelined for several weeks according to the club’s medical update.
PSG’s coach Luis Enrique has previously managed Dembélé’s playing time carefully due to the France international’s ongoing struggles with leg muscle issues. Last season, Dembélé was used sparingly in Ligue 1 matches and has already been rested twice in the current campaign.
The injuries come ahead of a crucial Ligue 1 match on Sunday, when PSG will host Lyon. Both clubs currently share the top spot in the league standings, intensifying the significance of the upcoming fixture. PSG will need to navigate this key period without some of their most influential players as they continue their domestic and European campaigns.