Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo surgery in the coming days, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on Wednesday. The Georgia winger is expected to miss the remainder of the 2026-27 season.
The injury happened early in the second half of the Champions League tie at the Parc des Princes. Kvaratskhelia landed awkwardly after an aerial contact with Barcelona teenager Xavi Espart, according to TNT Sports, and had to be carried off the pitch by two members of the medical staff.
PSG’s statement framed it bluntly.
“Having suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during yesterday’s match against FC Barcelona, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery in the coming days,” the club said.
Read also: Report: Manchester United accused of deliberately pushing high-paid stars towards exit
Dembélé and Marquinhos join the casualty list
The ACL was not the only blow. Dembélé pulled up sharply in the 19th minute clutching his left thigh and was replaced by Ferran Torres. He has been diagnosed with a left thigh muscle tear and faces several weeks out, according to Yahoo Sports.
Marquinhos went down in the same passage of play that hurt Kvaratskhelia and was withdrawn at the hour mark, with Maghnes Akliouche sent on. The PSG captain has a right thigh muscle tear and is also expected to be out for several weeks.
The club said both Dembélé and Marquinhos “will remain under treatment for the next few weeks” without putting a specific return date on either case.
‘The worst part of the game’
Luis Enrique watched his side come back from 1-0 down to win 4-2, with late goals from Vitinha and Fabian Ruiz, but his focus afterwards was on the treatment room.
Read also: Congo demands F1 prove Rwanda race is not funded by conflict minerals
“I am not the doctor. I am the coach. The three injuries is the worst part of the game today,” the Spaniard said.
PSG are chasing a third straight Champions League trophy, and matchday three in Paris was supposed to be a statement. It was that on the scoreboard, but the Ballon d’Or holder Dembélé, the European champions’ captain Marquinhos and Kvaratskhelia are all out of the matchday squad at once.
Six to nine months out for Kvaratskhelia
The absences bite immediately. Luis Enrique’s side host Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday with both clubs level at the top of the table, and the next Champions League matchday follows in early November.
Dembélé and Marquinhos should be back inside the season. Kvaratskhelia will not. ACL reconstructions typically keep footballers out for six to nine months once surgery has been performed, which rules the Georgia international out of PSG’s title defence until the back end of the 2026-27 campaign at the earliest, and in practice until next season.
Read also: Michael Carrick breaks silence on Manchester United future amid growing sack pressure
PSG will announce a surgery date once a specialist has been consulted.
Read also: Cristiano Ronaldo storms ahead of Lionel Messi in race for greatest Ballon d’Or season ever
