Paris Saint-Germain Loses Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé, and Marquinhos to Injuries
PSG secured a 4-2 victory against Barcelona in the Champions League, but suffered severe roster blows with three major player injuries.
Paris Saint-Germain suffered a heavy toll following a thrilling 4-2 Champions League victory over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes, losing three key players to significant injuries. The club announced Wednesday that winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, while Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé and team captain Marquinhos both sustained thigh muscle tears.
The injuries occurred during various stages of Tuesday's match, leaving PSG coach Luis Enrique facing a depleted roster. Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery in the coming days, while both Dembélé and Marquinhos face several weeks on the sidelines recovering from their respective left and right thigh tears.
Dembélé was forced to leave the pitch in the 19th minute after pulling up and clutching the back of his left thigh following a sprint. The French forward, who dealt with various leg muscle injuries during his time at Barcelona and struggled with injuries last season, played 50 games overall during the 2024-25 campaign on his way to winning the men's Ballon d'Or.
Kvaratskhelia sustained his injury early in the second half when he landed awkwardly after sprinting back to tackle Barcelona player Xavi Espart. The Georgia star appeared in severe pain while clutching his right knee before being replaced on the hour mark alongside the 32-year-old Marquinhos.
Marquinhos, who has accumulated more than 500 appearances for PSG since joining the club in 2013, sat down on the field in the 58th minute and immediately began rubbing the back of his right thigh. Both veterans had to be substituted as the French club completed a dominant win for its third straight victory in the European competition.
Following the diagnosis, Kvaratskhelia shared an emotional message on Instagram reflecting on the setback. He questioned why the injury happened to him, noting that he believed he had prepared for the game better than ever before, but expressed readiness to endure the upcoming months of hardship.
“I’m ready to go through these months in labor, pain, tears. I know I have to come back stronger for my people who always have my back, I won’t let you down,” Kvaratskhelia posted on social media.
The reigning French champions will need to quickly regroup as they prepare to host Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday. Both clubs currently sit level on points at the top of the domestic league standings as PSG navigates its upcoming matches without its injured stars.