Zlatan Ibrahimovic Hamstring Injury Puts Champions League Future in Doubt

Paris Saint-Germain didn't need a big game from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to take the first leg from Chelsea in convincing fashion, but can they hold on in the second leg while he deals with a leg issue of his own? We'll find out as the Swedish striker will miss "a few weeks" with a hamstring strain, per beIN Sports (h/t The Independent).

Those few weeks not only will include the match in London next week but could extend into the next round of the Champions League, assuming that PSG can hang on to their advantage and advance. It will be close for the next round, with matches scheduled for the weeks of April 21 and 28. Getting Ibrahimovic back for those matches will be tight and should depend entirely on his response to treatment. It is unlikely he will be at full health.


PSG's big man hurt himself midway through the second half. He made a quick move at the start of a run and pulled up quickly, falling to the turf and grabbing at the back of his leg. This unconscious move tells us a lot. The body guards the muscle by taking the pressure off it as much as possible and creates the instinct to grab at the injured spot. Ibrahimovic grabbed at the belly of the muscle, the thickest portion.

Combining what we saw on the field with the quotes from PSG officials, it's reasonable to think that Ibrahimovic is dealing with a Grade II strain. By definition, that is a moderate tear with a palpable defect in the muscle.

The hamstring itself is actually three muscles that have two major functions: knee flexion (bending the knee) and hip extension. All three muscles are involved in both. Given where Ibrahimovic grabbed and the method of injury, the damaged muscle is likely the biceps femoris. PSG's medical staff will likely have confirmed this with either ultrasound on site or a later MRI.