Just days before a key Champions League clash against Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain faces another setback: captain Marquinhos has been ruled out due to a thigh injury. Although he completed the match against Marseille, discomfort felt during the final moments led the medical team to sideline him until after the October international break.
He joins a growing list of absentees, including Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, and João Neves. Despite the situation, head coach Luis Enrique remains composed. He views injuries as part of the reality of elite football and believes the squad has enough depth to stay competitive.
“This is top-level football. You have to adapt. That’s the mindset I want to instill in the players and fans,” he said ahead of PSG’s Ligue 1 fixture against Auxerre
While acknowledging the loss of Marquinhos as significant — especially given his leadership role — Enrique emphasized the club’s preparation and the quality available within the squad.
On a brighter note, Ousmane Dembélé was recently awarded the Ballon d’Or after a standout season, scoring 35 goals including eight in the Champions League. Enrique expressed his pride: “Seeing Ousmane reach this level is incredible. And being named team of the year makes the achievement even more special.”
One image stuck in the coach’s mind: Dembélé holding out the trophy for fans to touch — a powerful gesture of connection between player and supporters.
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