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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed on October 21. The winger suffered the injury during Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Barcelona.
The club also confirmed thigh injuries to Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos, with both players requiring treatment over the coming weeks. All three were forced off during a match PSG won by 4 to 2.
The result maintained the French club’s perfect European start. The medical findings now leave Luis Enrique preparing for absences in attack and central defense ahead of Sunday’s league meeting with Lyon.
Surgery Confirmed, but No Return Date Announced
PSG said Kvaratskhelia’s operation will take place in the coming days. Its announcement did not provide a recovery timetable or confirm whether he could return before the end of the season.
Reuters reported that the injury could end his campaign. That remains an assessment of the likely consequences, while the confirmed next step is surgery.
Kvaratskhelia was hurt early in the second half after attempting a challenge on Barcelona’s Xavi Espart. He needed assistance leaving the field and was unable to put weight on the affected leg.
In a subsequent Instagram message, the Georgia international described his distress at the diagnosis and his determination to work through rehabilitation. He said he had prepared extensively for the Barcelona match and struggled to process what had happened.
PSG Loses a Central Figure in Its European Success
The sporting consequences extend well beyond the next fixture. Kvaratskhelia was UEFA’s Champions League Player of the Season for the previous campaign, when PSG successfully defended its title.
He contributed 10 goals and six assists across 16 appearances in that competition. Those figures underline the scale of the attacking contribution PSG must now replace as it pursues a third consecutive European crown.
His influence included decisive moments against leading opponents. He scored twice in the first leg of last season’s semifinal against Bayern Munich and won the penalty that Dembélé converted to equalize against Arsenal in the final.
Replacing that contribution will require several players to help. PSG must find goals and assists while also maintaining enough attacking variety to prevent opponents from concentrating their defensive attention on the remaining forwards.
Dembélé and Marquinhos Reduce the Options Further
Dembélé left the Barcelona match in the 19th minute. PSG identified an injury to his left thigh, while captain Marquinhos sustained an injury to his right thigh.
The club has not specified an exact return date for either player. Their absences create separate selection problems, with Luis Enrique losing another established attacker as well as an experienced central defender.
Dembélé had started the campaign with four goals and six assists in all competitions. Losing his production at the same time as Kvaratskhelia increases the importance of the forwards available behind them.
PSG’s Barcelona squad included Désiré Doué, Maghnes Akliouche and Ferran Torres, giving the manager attacking alternatives. Illia Zabarnyi, Willian Pacho and Lucas Beraldo were also selected among the defensive options.
Those names provide choices, but the next lineup has yet to be confirmed. The practical challenge is finding combinations that work together while leaving enough flexibility to make changes during matches.
Lyon Presents an Immediate Test
PSG hosts Lyon on Sunday with the clubs level on points in Ligue 1. Lyon leads on goal difference, giving the fixture immediate significance at the top of the domestic standings.
In Europe, PSG has nine points from three matches. That strong start gives its Champions League campaign a solid foundation, although the injury announcement changes the resources available for the fixtures ahead.
The coming days will bring preparations for Kvaratskhelia’s operation and a revised team for Lyon. Further medical updates will be needed before PSG can establish when any of the three injured players can resume competition.
