Kvaratskhelia exits in tears against Barcelona, ACL rupture feared

PSG beat FC Barcelona 4-2 Tuesday evening at Parc des Princes, but the victory carries a considerable human cost: three players left the field with injuries, and the condition of Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia is seriously worrying the Paris staff.

In the 59th minute, the Georgian winger suffered a violent collision with Barcelona’s Xavi Espart. He immediately collapsed, holding his knee, unable to put weight on his foot. Unaccustomed to complaining, Kvaratskhelia appeared on the verge of tears before being escorted off the pitch by two members of the medical staff. According to L’Équipe, an ACL rupture is feared. An MRI scheduled for Wednesday should clarify the diagnosis.

If this hypothesis is confirmed, the season of the former Napoli player would already be over, depriving PSG of one of its major offensive assets during the crucial phase of the competition.

The two other injuries of the evening are Ousmane Dembélé, who suffered a hamstring muscle injury in the 19th minute, and Marquinhos, who came off with thigh pain but whose condition is causing less concern.

In his post-match press conference, manager Luis Enrique did not hide his concern despite the scale of the victory. “It’s the worst thing to lose three players. But three injured players, that’s the worst news, that’s how top-level football is,” he said. The atmosphere in the corridors of Parc des Princes during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday was, according to available information, particularly heavy, with initial tests carried out immediately having done little to reassure the player’s entourage.