Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed that star forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffered an ankle sprain during the club’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle United. The Georgian international is expected to be sidelined for up to ten days, leaving Luis Enrique with a significant selection headache for the upcoming Ligue 1 fixtures.
The injury occurred during the final match of the Champions League league phase at St. James’ Park. While the draw was enough to secure PSG a spot in the competition’s playoffs, the loss of their “Number 7” is a major blow to their domestic momentum.
Key Matches Missed: The Marseille Derby
According to Mundo Deportivo and official club sources, Kvaratskhelia will undergo a recovery period of 8 to 10 days. This timeline rules him out of two crucial Ligue 1 encounters:
- Strasbourg (Away): This Sunday, Feb 1st.
- Olympique de Marseille (Home): The highly anticipated Le Classique on Feb 8th.
Time for Désiré Doué to Shine?
With the Georgian playmaker unavailable, young French talent Désiré Doué is the frontrunner to step into the starting XI. Doué has been a consistent spark off the bench this season and now has a golden opportunity to prove his worth in Luis Enrique’s high-intensity system.
Vote of Confidence for Luis Enrique
Despite the recent European struggle, PSG’s management remains fully behind Luis Enrique. Reports from Le Parisien indicate that the club has opened talks to extend the Spaniard’s contract beyond June 2027.
The board views Enrique as the architect of their long-term project, especially after he led the Parisians to Champions League glory last season. The contract extension is seen as a move to silence critics and reinforce stability at the Parc des Princes during this mid-season injury crisis.
Siara Costa is a football editor and writer covering both European men’s and women’s football, with a focus on league competitions, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling.
