Paris Saint-Germain have suffered a major injury setback following their 4-2 victory over Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia set to undergo surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
The French champions confirmed the Georgian winger’s injury in an official medical update on Wednesday, October 21, following Tuesday night’s encounter at the Parc des Princes. The club also announced that Ousmane Dembele and captain Marquinhos sustained thigh injuries during the match and would require treatment over the coming weeks.
Kvaratskhelia suffered the injury shortly before the hour mark after an incident involving Barcelona defender Xavi Espart. The 25-year-old went to ground clutching his right knee and was unable to put weight on the affected leg, forcing PSG’s medical team to assist him off the pitch.
The winger was replaced by Maghnes Akliouche in the 59th minute as PSG dealt with an injury that would ultimately overshadow an important European victory.
PSG subsequently confirmed the severity of the injury, announcing that Kvaratskhelia would undergo surgery in the coming days.
The diagnosis represents a significant blow for head coach Luis Enrique, who must now prepare for upcoming fixtures without one of his key attacking options. However, the club has not officially announced a recovery date, meaning the precise length of Kvaratskhelia’s absence remains uncertain.
ACL injuries generally require extensive rehabilitation, with recovery often taking at least six months. Depending on the individual circumstances, some players need longer before returning to competitive football. Kvaratskhelia therefore faces a lengthy recovery process, although his exact return timeline will depend on the outcome of surgery and subsequent rehabilitation.
The Georgian international’s injury was not the only concern for PSG following their victory over Barcelona.
Dembele was forced off in the 19th minute with an injury to his left thigh. The reigning Ballon d’Or winner had started the match but was unable to continue, adding to PSG’s concerns before Kvaratskhelia’s injury further disrupted their plans.
The club confirmed that Dembele would remain under treatment over the coming weeks. No precise return date was provided in the medical announcement.
Marquinhos also sustained a thigh injury during the contest. The Brazilian defender, who captains PSG, was replaced by Illia Zabarnyi in the 59th minute. According to the club’s medical update, he will also remain under treatment for the coming weeks.
The simultaneous injuries leave PSG facing questions about their squad availability ahead of a demanding run of domestic and European fixtures. Losing Kvaratskhelia, Dembele and Marquinhos within the same match affects both the team’s attacking options and its defensive leadership.
The setbacks are particularly frustrating because PSG had produced a strong performance to overcome Barcelona. Désiré Doué opened the scoring in the 38th minute before Barcelona’s Xavi Espart equalised in the 55th minute.
PSG restored their advantage through goals from Lucas Hernandez in the 72nd minute and Vitinha in the 81st minute, before Fabián Ruiz added the fourth in the 86th minute. Lamine Yamal scored Barcelona’s second goal in the 79th minute, but the visitors were unable to prevent defeat. The final score was 4-2.
Despite the victory, PSG must now balance the immediate benefits of their Champions League result against the loss of three important players.
The medical department will continue to monitor Dembele and Marquinhos as they undergo treatment, while Kvaratskhelia prepares for surgery and the rehabilitation process that follows.
For Enrique, the immediate challenge will be finding effective replacements without compromising the team’s attacking threat or defensive organisation. Other members of the squad may need to assume greater responsibilities as PSG navigate their upcoming fixtures.
PSG are scheduled to face Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday, October 25, providing their next opportunity to respond to the injury setbacks. The availability of the three injured players will remain a major consideration as the club prepares for the encounter.
The 4-2 victory over Barcelona delivered an important result in Europe, but the injuries have significantly complicated PSG’s preparations for the weeks ahead. While Dembele and Marquinhos face periods of treatment, Kvaratskhelia now begins a more demanding journey towards recovery after a confirmed ACL rupture.
For the French champions, maintaining their momentum will depend not only on their results but also on how effectively they manage the absence of key players during this challenging period.
