Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will miss PSG’s Champions League clash with Barcelona due to a thigh injury, joining Dembele, Doue, and Marquinhos on the sidelines
Paris Saint-Germain have suffered another major injury setback as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been ruled out of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League group stage match against Barcelona with a suspected thigh injury.
The 24-year-old Georgian international limped off during PSG’s Ligue 1 victory over Auxerre on Saturday, raising immediate concerns over his fitness.
His absence deepens the crisis for the French champions, who are already missing several key players.
Kvaratskhelia joins an already lengthy injury list that includes:
- Ousmane Dembele (Ballon d’Or winner)
- Desire Doue (Forward)
- Marquinhos (Centre-back & captain)
Both Dembele and Doue have been sidelined since early September, while Marquinhos continues to recover from a muscular issue.
Despite the setbacks, head coach Luis Enrique has named a competitive squad for the high-stakes encounter against his former club, Barcelona.
Midfield duo Vitinha (3rd in Ballon d’Or voting) and Joao Neves have been included and are expected to play key roles.
This will be a special return for Enrique, who previously played for and coached Barcelona, including during their 2015 Champions League-winning campaign.
The injuries come at a critical time, as PSG’s new European campaign has gotten off to a turbulent start, further hampered by the lingering effects of a long 2024–25 season.
The Parisians ended last season with a Club World Cup final defeat to Chelsea in mid-July, cutting short the squad’s off-season recovery window.
Next Match: Barcelona vs PSG
- Date: Wednesday, October 2, 2025
- Venue: Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona
- Competition: UEFA Champions League – Group Stage
- Broadcast: Live on UEFA partner networks and streaming platforms
At a Glance: PSG Injury List
| Player | Position | Injury | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khvicha Kvaratskhelia | Winger | Thigh strain | OUT vs Barcelona |
| Ousmane Dembele | Forward | Muscular injury | Out since Sept |
| Desire Doue | Forward | Unknown | Out since Sept |
| Marquinhos | Centre-back | Muscle issue | Still unavailable |
Source: Read more at vanguardngr.com
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
