PSG’s Kvaratskhelia to undergo surgery after rupturing knee ligament

Reports published on 21 October said Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, a winger for Paris St-Germain, requires knee surgery after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the Champions League game against Barcelona at Paris’s Parc des Princes. PSG won 4-2, but also lost Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos to injuries.¹²

No return date announced

The injury affected Kvaratskhelia’s right knee, the Guardian reported. He needed help leaving the pitch and was unable to bear weight on his right leg. According to the BBC, the injury occurred in a challenge involving Xavi Espart.¹²

PSG have not announced a timetable for Kvaratskhelia’s return, the BBC reported. The Guardian said recovery from ACL injuries generally takes at least six months, but that is not a recovery estimate announced by the club for the winger.¹²

Kvaratskhelia expressed distress over the injury while promising to work towards his return. “I know I have to come back stronger for my people who always have my back,” he said, in comments reported by the BBC.²

The BBC described the Georgia international as 25 and reported that he has made 11 appearances for PSG this season. The Guardian identified him as a contender for the Ballon d’Or, placing his injury alongside its coverage of the other players hurt against Barcelona.¹²

Two further injury absences

Dembélé left the match with an injury to his left thigh, while Marquinhos injured his right thigh, according to the BBC. Both players are expected to be absent for several weeks. PSG said they would receive treatment over the coming weeks, the Guardian reported.¹²

The injuries accompanied another Champions League victory for PSG. According to the BBC, the team scored twice late in the match to defeat Barcelona and extend their winning start. The result left PSG leading the table with three victories from three matches.²

Barcelona complaint

Separately, the Guardian reported that Barcelona complained to Uefa about a banner displayed on Tuesday. It showed a masked figure wearing a PSG shirt using a chainsaw to cut through a Barcelona crest, according to the newspaper.¹

The Guardian cited sources close to Barcelona as saying that the banner and chants described as offensive had been brought to the attention of Uefa’s match delegate. The complaint was reported alongside the injuries sustained during PSG’s victory.¹