Paris Saint-Germain extreme Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will miss the rest of the season after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament during yesterday’s Champions League win over Barcelona, the club have confirmed.
The Georgia international fell under a challenge from Barcelona’s Xavi Espart and landed awkwardly at Parc dels Prínceps. He was taken out shortly before the scheduled time, and after this morning’s tests, the bad news was announced.
It is a devastating blow for both player and club as Kvaratskhelia has played a key role in PSG’s back-to-back Champions League successes after joining from Napoli in January 2025.
A PSG medical update read: “Victim of a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during yesterday’s match against FC Barcelona, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery in the coming days.”
PSG won a thrilling match 4-2 to end the Catalans’ 100% start to the season, but it came at a significant cost, as not only Kvaratskhelia suffered a setback.
PSG suffers a triple blow
The medical update also revealed that both Ousmane Dembele and captain Marquinhos suffered thigh injuries that will keep them out for several weeks.
Speaking after the game, PSG manager Luis Enrique admitted his frustration at the prospect of having to do without three key players at an important stage of the season.
“I’m not the doctor, I’m the coach,” he said. “The three injuries are the worst part of today’s game. We’ll have to wait for the tests tomorrow. They are three very important players, so it’s very bad news, of course, but that’s football.”
However, it is the loss of Kvaratskhelia that will hurt the Parisians the most.
The supremely gifted playmaker, nicknamed ‘Kvaradona’ by Napoli fans in tribute to the great Diego Maradona, is an important part of the club’s attacking arsenal.
He has scored 29 goals in 91 games for PSG in all competitions.
