‘WHY ME?’ KVARATSKHELIA REACTS TO ACL INJURY AFTER PSG’S WIN OVER BARCELONA

Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has expressed his disappointment after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during the club’s 4-2 UEFA Champions League victory over Barcelona.

The 25-year-old Georgian sustained the injury during Tuesday’s match at the Parc des Princes in Paris and was forced off shortly before the hour mark.

Kvaratskhelia later shared his reaction on social media, questioning why the setback had happened despite his preparation for the game.

“Why me? I’ve never left anything to chance. I’d probably prepared for this match better than I ever have before. I thought I was ready for anything, but not for this,” he wrote in a message posted in Georgian.

The winger also reflected on his prayers before matches, saying he had always asked God to allow him to leave the pitch without injury.

“Many people have asked me questions about this setback; many have said that if all the footballers in the world prayed, the match would end in a draw. That might be true, but before every match I play, I ask God to leave the field unscathed, but in vain,” he said.

Despite his disappointment, Kvaratskhelia said he was prepared to face the difficult recovery ahead and promised to return stronger for his supporters.

“I know I have to come back stronger for my people who always support me. I won’t let you down; I promise I won’t waste a second. Thank you all for your support, see you soon,” he added.

PSG confirmed on Wednesday that Kvaratskhelia had torn the ACL in his right knee and would undergo surgery in the coming days. The club did not provide a specific recovery timeline, although injuries of this nature commonly require several months of rehabilitation and could rule him out for the remainder of the season.

His injury is a significant setback for the European champions, who are seeking a third consecutive Champions League title. Kvaratskhelia played a key role in their European success last season and was among the nominees for the 2026 Ballon d’Or.

The Barcelona match also left PSG dealing with two other injury concerns. Forward Ousmane Dembélé sustained a left-thigh injury, while captain Marquinhos injured his right thigh. The club said both players would remain under treatment for the coming weeks.

Despite the injuries, PSG secured their third consecutive win in this season’s Champions League league phase with the 4-2 victory over Barcelona.