Kvaratskhelia to have surgery after rupturing knee ligament in PSG win over Barcelona

Paris St-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee. BBC Sport, The Guardian and Le Monde all report the injury and the planned surgery.

The injury happened during PSG's Champions League match against Barcelona on Tuesday. PSG won 4-2.

Kvaratskhelia was hurt in a challenge involving Barcelona's Xavi Espart. He could not put weight on his right leg and left the pitch around the hour mark. BBC Sport says he was substituted in the 59th minute. The Guardian says he was helped off just before the hour.

According to The Guardian, the ruptured ligament is in his right knee. The Guardian also reports that he landed awkwardly after sprinting back to make a tackle.

Kvaratskhelia is a Georgia international. He helped PSG win back-to-back Champions League titles. According to BBC Sport, he is 25 and joined PSG from Napoli in January 2025. BBC Sport says he has made 11 appearances for the club this season.

According to BBC Sport, PSG have not given a timeline for his return. Le Monde reports that he will likely be out for months and that his season is in doubt. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not show the basis for that estimate. They also do not say when or where the surgery will take place.

The Guardian reports that Kvaratskhelia is one of the contenders for the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded on Monday.

Two other PSG players were injured in the match. Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos both sustained thigh injuries. According to BBC Sport, Dembélé's injury is to his left thigh and Marquinhos's is to his right thigh. The reports do not give exact diagnoses.

According to BBC Sport, the match at Parc des Princes was level at 2-2 with about 10 minutes left before PSG scored twice. BBC Sport says PSG top their Champions League table with three wins from three matches.

Separately, The Guardian reports that Barcelona have complained to Uefa about a banner displayed on Tuesday. According to The Guardian, the banner carried the slogan "Massacre, Parisien style". It showed a masked man in a PSG shirt cutting through a Barcelona crest with a chainsaw. The reports do not describe any Uefa response.

What each side says

• Paris St-Germain: According to BBC Sport, the club confirmed Dembélé and Marquinhos will be absent for a "few weeks". According to The Guardian, the club said both players will have treatment for the next few weeks.
• Barcelona: According to sources close to the club cited by The Guardian, the content of the banner and some chants from the stands were reported to Uefa's match delegate.

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include on-the-record comments from Kvaratskhelia, PSG coach Luis Enrique or Barcelona officials.

Analysis

The injuries leave PSG without three senior players after a single match. How long Kvaratskhelia is out will depend on the surgery and his recovery. PSG have not set a timeline, and estimates such as Le Monde's remain unconfirmed by the club. If Dembélé and Marquinhos return within the few weeks the club describes, the effect on PSG's squad could be short-term. Kvaratskhelia's absence may last longer. Barcelona's complaint about the banner could lead to a Uefa review, but the reports do not show whether Uefa will act, or how.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.