Kvaratskhelia ruptures ACL in PSG win over Barcelona, season likely over

The injury

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia went off during Paris Saint-Germain's 4-2 Champions League win over Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on 20 October 2026. He fell awkwardly while trying to tackle Xavi Espart early in the second half and was seen holding his knee. Examinations confirmed a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ending a season that had only just begun. One Romanian report gave the left knee, but the club and most other reports name the right.

Club confirmation and recovery

Paris Saint-Germain confirmed the diagnosis on 21 October and said Kvaratskhelia would undergo surgery in the days that followed. Recovery is expected to take six to nine months, and ANSA reported that this effectively closes his season. The same match cost the club two more players. Ousmane Dembélé left the pitch early after an intense run in the 19th minute with pain at the back of his left thigh, and captain Marquinhos had a problem in his right thigh. Le Soir and SAPO both expect the two to miss several weeks, and SAPO adds that Luis Enrique had already rested Dembélé twice in Ligue 1 earlier this season.

Ballon d'Or and reactions

The Ballon d'Or is due to be awarded on 26 October in London, and ANSA reported the injury does not appear to remove Kvaratskhelia from the shortlist, since the award also weighs the previous season. He remains in contention with Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Leo Messi. Kvaratskhelia posted a long message on Instagram. In it he wrote that he had prepared for the match better than ever, asked why it had happened to him, and said he accepted that God had chosen him for this trial. He promised to return stronger for the people who stand by him. Cristiano Ronaldo, his childhood idol, replied that the hardest fights in football are often unseen and urged him not to forget what brought him this far. Fellow players and Napoli also posted messages of support.

What comes next

PSG is set to host Lyon in its next Ligue 1 match, and the club sits level on points at the top of the table, according to SAPO. Without Kvaratskhelia, Dembélé and Marquinhos, the squad must cope with three of its key players unavailable at once. Kvaratskhelia's surgery is the next step, followed by a recovery window of six to nine months. The Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place on 26 October in London.