Sawt Falasteen - PSG's Kvaratskhelia season in doubt after torn ACL

Both players suffered the injuries in the reigning European champions' 4-2 league phase win against Barcelona at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.

"Having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during yesterday's match against FC Barcelona, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is set to undergo surgery in the coming days," PSG said in a statement, without giving a timeline for his recovery.

Recovery from ACL surgery typically takes between six and nine months, meaning the 25-year-old Georgia international can at best hope to return for the closing stages of the season.

Former Napoli winger Kvaratskhelia has established himself as one of Europe's most exciting attacking players and played a leading role in helping PSG to win back-to-back Champions League titles in the last two seasons.

Like Dembele, he is one of the contenders for the Ballon d'Or, which will be awarded on Monday.

The club said Dembele, the current Ballon d'Or holder, and influential Brazilian central defender Marquinhos will both be sidelined for "several weeks" with thigh injuries they suffered in the win against Barcelona.

Kvaratskhelia slumped to the turf without any apparent contact and left the pitch just before the hour mark on Tuesday.

Dembele, 29, had to be substituted after 20 minutes due to his injury.

In the absence of two of their attacking stars, PSG will need to rely on summer signings Maghnes Akliouche, Mika Godts and Ferran Torres, the Spain international who scored the winning goal in the World Cup final in July.

PSG are away to Ligue 1 leaders Lyon on Sunday in their next domestic match and they travel to Spanish side Villarreal for their next Champions League fixture on November 3.

Z.AbuSaud--SF-PST