In Paris, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s season has been brought to an abrupt halt at a moment when the Georgian winger was thriving for Paris Saint-Germain. The 25-year-old has confirmed an anterior cruciate ligament rupture suffered in PSG’s 4-2 win over Barcelona, an injury expected to keep him out for the remainder of the campaign.
A painful night after Barcelona victory
Kvaratskhelia left the pitch in the 61st minute after a heavy challenge by Xavi Espartat. Subsequent examinations delivered the most serious possible outcome: an ACL tear.
The Georgia international, already a two-time Champions League winner with PSG, addressed supporters on social media after receiving the diagnosis. He wrote that before every match he asks God to allow him to leave the field unhurt, but added that he was prepared to endure “months of pain and tears” after being chosen for this test.
- Player: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
- Club: Paris Saint-Germain
- Age: 25
- Injury: anterior cruciate ligament rupture
- Match: PSG 4-2 Barcelona
- Moment of injury: 61st minute
- Expected absence: the rest of the season
Ronaldo sends a message to his admirer
Among the messages arriving from across the game was one from Cristiano Ronaldo, the player Kvaratskhelia has regarded as his principal footballing idol since childhood.
The Portuguese forward told him that the hardest battles in football are often unseen. Ronaldo said he understood the feeling, urged Kvaratskhelia to remember the qualities that had carried him to this point, and encouraged him not to let a difficult spell limit his belief in what remains possible. His closing message was clear: keep the fire alive, because the best is still ahead.
A bond built around the number seven
Kvaratskhelia’s attachment to Ronaldo has long been visible in his career choices and public moments. The PSG attacker wears the No. 7 shirt as a tribute to the Portugal captain, while he had previously told streamer iShowSpeed that he would celebrate in Ronaldo’s style if he scored against Barcelona.
He also keeps Ronaldo’s shirt in his personal collection, a souvenir from Georgia’s landmark victory over Portugal at Euro 2024. As rehabilitation begins, that connection has now produced a personal note of support during the most difficult interruption of Kvaratskhelia’s career.
