Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo surgery in the coming days, Paris Saint-Germain confirmed after Tuesday’s 4-2 Champions League win over Barcelona.
The Georgia captain went down after a hard challenge in the 57th minute at the Parc des Princes. He could not put weight on the leg and was carried off by medical staff, with Senny Mayulu coming on in his place. Scans confirmed a complete tear.
PSG have not given a recovery timeline. ACL reconstructions typically keep players out for six to nine months, which puts the rest of his season in serious doubt.
Why it hurts PSG now
The timing is bad. PSG have won all three Champions League games so far, beating Manchester City and Barcelona by the same scoreline this month, and sit level on points with Ligue 1 leaders Lyon. Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos are already out with thigh injuries, and Nuno Mendes picked up a knock at Strasbourg last weekend.
Kvaratskhelia, 25, joined from Napoli for a reported £59m in January 2025 and was named the Champions League’s best player last season. He is also on the 2026 Ballon d’Or shortlist. His start to this campaign has been quieter, with one goal and one assist in nine appearances, though Luis Enrique’s side rely on his ability to beat a defender one against one.
Désiré Doué and Maghnes Akliouche are the likeliest to absorb his minutes.
What it means for Georgia
For Georgia, the loss is bigger still. Kvaratskhelia is the face of the national team and the main reason its football now gets noticed across Europe. A long absence removes him from the spotlight just as his profile reached its peak, and the coming months will test how much of PSG’s attack, and Georgia’s, was built around one player.
