Major Blow for Paris: Kvaratskhelia Out for Several Months Due to ACL Tear
Serious injuries to Kvaratskhelia and Dembele hinder Paris Saint-Germain
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Paris Saint-Germain, the winner of the UEFA Champions League in the past two seasons, announced on Wednesday that their Georgian international striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffered a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee. The injury occurred on Tuesday during their 4-2 defeat to Spanish side Barcelona in the third matchday of the prestigious continental competition, and he will be sidelined for several months.
The club added in a medical bulletin that their other international winger, Ousmane Dembele, who was injured in his left thigh, “will continue undergoing treatment over the coming weeks,” as will Brazilian captain Marquinhos, who is dealing with an injury to his right thigh. Following this serious injury to Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger’s season may already be over.
In a conversation with Agence France-Presse, those close to “Kvara” stated that it was “difficult at this stage” to pinpoint his return date, although this type of injury typically requires a recovery period exceeding six months.
The 25-year-old striker left the pitch around the 60th minute on Tuesday after a collision with Barcelona player Chavi Sbaratti, heading to the locker room unable to bear weight on his right leg and assisted by two members of the Parisian club’s medical staff.
Kvara played a pivotal role in leading the French club to back-to-back Champions League titles and is considered one of the favorites for the Ballon d’Or award for the best player, which will be presented next Monday.
Paris Saint-Germain clarified that the Georgian international “will undergo surgery in the coming days.” The team has also suffered two other injuries: Dembele, the current Ballon d’Or holder and a contender to retain the award, was injured again in his left thigh after just 20 minutes of play.
The club reported that the French player, suffering from a “muscular injury,” will continue his treatment over the coming weeks.
The same applies to Brazilian captain Marquinhos, who sustained an injury to his right thigh and will also undergo treatment for several weeks.
Paris Saint-Germain, who will be without two of their stars for several weeks, will have to rely on new signings Magnin Akliouche, Spanish international Ferran Torres, and Belgian midfielder Myckel Goudet, in the absence of their strikers Kvara and Dembele.
