ไทย
English
中國人
Paris Saint-Germain have announced that Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during Tuesday's Champions League win against Barcelona, effectively ruling him out for the rest of the season.
The Ballon d'Or hopeful was in his typically dangerous form at the Parc des Princes, rattling the bottom of the post early in an electrifying clash between two of this season's Champions League frontrunners. However, Kvaratskhelia's evening would end in heartbreak before the hour mark.
A collision with Barça's young fullback Xavi Espart sent the Georgian winger crashing to the ground. As he fell, Kvaratskhelia's right studs became lodged in the turf, causing a twisting motion in the knee that has left him with one of the most serious injuries a footballer can sustain.
PSG issued a short statement the following day confirming the injury and that their No. 7 would go under the knife later that week. The unfortunate news didn't stop there.
When Will Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Return From ACL Injury?
ACL tears were once considered career-ending. Significant advances in arthroscopy and improved surgical methods have spared players that outcome, and Kvaratskhelia will undoubtedly return to the field. Just almost certainly not this campaign.
Players typically require a minimum of nine months before returning to any competitive action — placing his comeback somewhere around July 2027, well after the Champions League final. Even then, the Kvaratskhelia who returns will likely not be the same dazzling, unpredictable winger who tormented Barcelona.
Rodri, who came on for Barça just as Kvaratskhelia was being helped off the pitch, offers a recent parallel. The former Manchester City midfielder tore his ACL in September 2024 and didn't make a cautious return until May. Fitness struggles would continue to plague Rodri throughout the following season, prompting his manager at the time, Pep Guardiola, to caution: "I said to him, and he maybe struggled to understand, it's not about six, seven, eight months out, then playing and being the Rodri of before.
"No. Do you know when Rodri will be good? At the World Cup with Spain. At the World Cup he will be the best Rodri."
Rodri duly claimed the best player award at the tournament as Spain lifted the trophy, finally returning to something close to his best nearly two years after tearing his ACL.
PSG Provide Ousmane Dembele, Marquinhos Injury Updates
If only Kvaratskhelia had been Luis Enrique's only concern. The stricken forward was joined off the pitch by Marquinhos, who pulled up clutching his hamstring at the same time. Earlier in the first half, Ousmane Dembélé had already been substituted off while holding the back of his leg.
PSG confirmed that both players "will remain in treatment for the coming weeks," suggesting they will be sidelined until at least after the November international break. First-choice left back Nuno Mendes had already been ruled out of the Barcelona match due to a hamstring issue that was given the same vague timeframe.
Enrique employs an aggressive injury prevention strategy, resting his key players for most domestic games to keep them fresh for Champions League fixtures. Marquinhos, for instance, accumulated more European appearances (15) than league outings (14) last season. While this naturally lightens the overall workload, it also carries the risk of players being underprepared for the intense physical demands when high-stakes matches do arrive.
Kvaratskhelia's ACL tear is a devastating freak occurrence, but the growing number of soft-tissue injuries among his teammates may prompt some reflection on whether a different approach is needed going forward.