Kvaratskhelia set for long spell out after ACL injury

Paris St. Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after rupturing his Anterior Cruciate Ligament.

Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery after sustaining the injury in the 59th minute during a challenge with Xavi Espart.

Marquinhos also limped off at the same time as his Georgian teammate, while Ousmane Dembele was forced off after just 20 minutes. Both will receive treatment for the next few weeks.

With 20 goals and 12 assists last season, Kvaratskehlia was a key part of PSG’s success and is a contender for the Ballon d’Or which will be announced on Monday.

After the game, his manager Luis Enrique said: “I am not the doctor. I am the coach.

“The three injuries is the worst part of the game today. We will have to wait for the tests tomorrow.

“They are three very important players, so it’s really bad news, of course, but that’s football.”

PSG midfielder Fabian Ruiz added: “It is because of moments like this that Luis Enrique rested some of our players, but unfortunately the thing we feared later happened.

“We lost Ousmane Dembele just 19 minutes into the game, then both Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia got injured almost the same minute.

“[Kvara’s] injury got me scared because the way he fell got me worried. He couldn’t walk off the pitch on his own. I just hope it’s not something serious.”

The injury will keep Kvaratskhelia out for the remainder of the season. Other high-profile names have suffered the same or similar setbacks, such as Alan Shearer, Virgil Van Dijk and Neymar Jr.