PSG injuries: Kvaratskhelia needs operation for torn ACL, Dembélé and Marquinhos have thigh tears

Published: 05:54 EDT, 21 October 2026 | Updated: 06:09 EDT, 21 October 2026

PARIS (AP) – Paris Saint-Germain paid a high price for its thrilling Champions League win over Barcelona with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tearing the ACL in his right knee and Ousmane Dembélé and captain Marquinhos both tearing thigh muscles.

PSG said in a statement Wednesday that Kvaratskhelia will have an operation in the coming days and that Dembélé (left thigh) and Marquinhos (right thigh) both face several weeks out.

Ballon d´Or winner Dembélé pulled up clutching the back of his left thigh following a run down the left in the 19th minute of Tuesday’s game.

Kvaratskhelia landed awkwardly after sprinting back to make a tackle on Xavi Espart early into the second half and looked in severe pain as he clutched his knee.

Kvaratskhelia, who can play on both wings, and 32-year-old central defender Marquinhos were both replaced on the hour mark at Parc des Princes, where two-time defending champion PSG won 4-2 for a third straight win in the competition.

Marquinhos, who has played more than 500 games since joining PSG in 2013, sat down on the field in the 58th minute and immediately began rubbing the back of his thigh.

PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia grimaces in pain after a challenges for the ball with Barcelona’s Xavi Espart, left, during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG coach Luis Enrique used Dembélé sparingly in the French league last season and has already rested him twice in Ligue 1 this campaign.

The France star, who scored six goals at the World Cup, struggled with injuries last season and the speedy forward had been beset by leg muscle injuries at his previous club Barcelona.

The 2024-25 campaign, which led to him winning the men’s Ballon d’Or, saw Dembélé playing 50 games overall in a season for the first time in his career.

Kvaratskhelia injured his right ankle last season.

PSG hosts Lyon in Ligue 1 on Sunday with both sides level on points at the top of the standings.

Barcelona’s Xavi Espart, right, fights for the ball with PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele reacts in pain after sustaining an injury during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG’s Ousmane Dembele, left, leaves the field with an injury during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG’s Marquinhos, right, sits on the field after appearing to suffer an injury during the Champions League opening phase soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona in Paris, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

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