Paris Saint-Germain have been dealt a painful blow after it was confirmed that their Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in his right knee during his team’s 4-2 win over Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday 20 October 2026.
Kvaratskhelia left the pitch in the 59th minute with the help of the medical staff, unable to put weight on his leg, and the club officially announced that he will undergo surgery in the coming days. Such injuries usually require an absence extending to several months, meaning the 25-year-old’s season is likely over.
This injury comes at a time when the team is also suffering from other absences, most notably Ousmane Dembélé and Marquinhos for weeks due to muscle injuries, leaving coach Luis Enrique facing a major challenge in the forward line, especially on the left wing where he relied heavily on Kvaratskhelia.
With this void, attention has begun to turn towards Moroccan international Abde Ezzalzouli (known as Ez Abde or Abde), the Real Betis player. Press reports indicate that Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona have been monitoring the player for months, and that interest increased after Kvaratskhelia’s injury.
Ezzalzouli, 24, has been delivering outstanding performances with Betis in La Liga and the Champions League, and is distinguished by his speed, dribbling and ability to create chances from the left wing – qualities that bring him close to Kvaratskhelia’s style. His release clause is estimated at around €60 million.
Observers believe that Ezzalzouli could be a logical option to fill the attacking gap, especially with his international experience with the Morocco national team and his ability to adapt to high demands. However, no official offers have been announced so far, and the player remains under contract with Betis until 2029.
Football fans are waiting to see whether Paris Saint-Germain will move in the winter transfer market to compensate for their Georgian star, or will rely on the players currently available in the squad. In any case, Kvaratskhelia’s injury represents a real test for the team’s ambitions to defend their European and domestic titles.
