Paris Saint-Germain’s recent 4-2 Champions League triumph against FC Barcelona has come at a significant cost, with the club confirming injuries to three key players. The most severe setback involves Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The club announced that the star is scheduled for surgery in the coming days and faces several months on the sidelines.
The injury occurred early in the second half when Kvaratskhelia landed awkwardly after sprinting to make a tackle on Xavi Espart. Both Kvaratskhelia and 32-year-old captain Marquinhos were substituted on the hour mark during the match at the Parc des Princes. Marquinhos is now set to miss several weeks due to a right thigh muscle tear.
Forward Ousmane Dembele, the reigning men’s Ballon d’Or winner, also sustained a left thigh muscle injury during the 19th minute of play after pulling up while making a run down the flank. His absence follows a 2024-25 season where he reached a career milestone by playing 50 matches. PSG coach Luis Enrique has managed his workload carefully this term, having already rested him twice in Ligue 1. Which led to him winning the men’s Ballon d’Or, saw Dembele playing 50 games overall in a season for the first time in his career, the 2024-25 campaign.
Dembele’s history includes previous struggles with leg muscle issues at Barcelona and recurring injury problems throughout his career.
Similarly, Kvaratskhelia is dealing with a significant fitness challenge following a right ankle injury sustained last season. The timing is particularly difficult for PSG, who currently sit level on points with Lyon at the top of the Ligue 1 table. The two sides are scheduled to face each other this Sunday in a high-stakes league fixture.
