The fact that Kvicha Kvaratskhelia (25), who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Tuesday’s Champions League match against FC Barcelona (4-2), will not be back on the pitch for several months is clear. But could the Georgian return before the end of the season?

According to François Pietra, chief medical officer at RC Strasbourg-Alsace from 2001 to 2025, that would, strictly speaking, be a “miracle”. If the usual recovery times for this type of injury are followed – a minimum of six to seven months – Kvaratskhelia could then make a gradual return to competitive action sometime in April 2027.

Speaking to L’Équipe, Pietra highlights the fact that “clubs only mention the anterior cruciate ligament tear but do not specify any associated injuries that might slow down the recovery process”. In his view, “it would be a miracle if he were to play again by the end of the season. Especially as all it takes is any sort of complication in the recovery process and it’s all over.”

And even if his injury were to heal before the end of the 2026-27 season, ‘Kvara’ would need to regain his rhythm, intensity and confidence before he could return to competitive action. “For him, even with a rigorous pre-season, it’s going to be extremely tight,” warns Pietra, who nevertheless points out that it’s easier for players to recover “because they’re looked after from morning till night.”