Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to undergo surgery after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the French club have confirmed. The 25-year-old, who earned recognition as the Champions League’s best player last season, sustained the injury during a 4-2 home victory against Barcelona.
Operation and Emotional Reaction
The European champions announced that Kvaratskhelia will have an operation in the coming days, though they did not provide a specific timeline for his recovery. The Georgia international shared an emotional statement on Instagram, expressing that he has questioned why he is facing such a long road to rehabilitation.
Kvaratskhelia stated on social media that he always asks God to leave the field healthy before every match, noting that he prepared for this fixture as well as he ever had. He added that he realizes God chose him for this path and that he is ready to endure the upcoming months of labor, pain, and tears. He promised to return stronger for the people who support him and vowed not to waste a single second.
Impact on PSG and Upcoming Fixtures
The severity of the injury raises serious concerns about whether Kvaratskhelia will feature again this campaign, and he will certainly miss PSG’s Champions League fixture away to Aston Villa on December 8. Kvaratskhelia has been nominated for the 2026 Ballon d’Or following a stellar campaign that helped PSG secure consecutive Champions League titles alongside Ligue 1 glory.
The absence of the Georgia captain is a significant setback for PSG as they pursue a third successive European crown. Kvaratskhelia has developed into one of the premier forwards globally since transferring to the French champions from Napoli for 59 million pounds plus add-ons in January 2025.
Further Injuries and Squad Depth
During the match against Barcelona, PSG also lost reigning Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembele and captain Marquinhos to injuries. The club reported that both players sustained thigh problems and will remain under treatment for the upcoming weeks. Another important squad member, Nuno Mendes, was also unavailable against the Spanish club due to an injury picked up during a Ligue 1 victory at Strasbourg.
Luis Enrique’s team has performed strongly in Europe after defending their title in May, defeating both Manchester City and Barcelona with identical 4-2 scorelines this month. PSG currently lead the 36-team league table with three wins from three matches, while sitting second in the domestic league standings, level on points with leaders Lyon.
According to Sky Sports analyst Laura Hunter, PSG paid a high price for their victory against Barcelona by losing Marquinhos, Dembele, and Kvaratskhelia, with the latter’s season now concluded. Hunter noted that while PSG possess sufficient squad depth through players like Desire Doue and Maghnes Akliouche to cover the absence, the mounting injuries make their European title defense considerably more difficult.
Barcelona Files Complaint Over Tifo
In addition to the injuries, Barcelona lodged a formal complaint with UEFA regarding a chainsaw banner displayed during the fixture. The large display covered nearly an entire end of the stadium, featuring the slogan “Massacre, Parisian style” and depicting a masked individual in a PSG shirt cutting through the Barcelona crest with a chainsaw while pyrotechnics simulated sparks.
Sources close to Barcelona indicated that the banner and offensive chants from the stands were reported directly to UEFA’s match delegate. European football’s governing body is reviewing whether the display will feature in the official match report before determining any subsequent action, while the Press Association reported that UEFA declined to comment.
Barcelona released an official statement strongly condemning the tifo and associated insulting incidents, characterizing the imagery as deeply disturbing and contrary to the values of respect, fair play, and sportsmanship. The Spanish club asserted that football must remain a space for healthy rivalry and mutual respect, free from messages inciting violence and hatred.
Source: SkySports | News
