Presnel Kimpembe injury: When will PSG defender be back?

Presnel Kimpembe has long been regarded among Europe's finest centre-halves, but his 2022/23 season has been plagued by injury.

The French defender, who has 28 caps for the national team, has spent the entirety of his senior career at Paris Saint-Germain and has developed into a stalwart figure in the capital.

He's been a regular member of PSG's defence since his breakthrough 2016/17 season, and has played a key role in the club's continued domestic success under their Qatari owners.

However, the club's ultimate goal of winning the Champions League is yet to be realised, and they face an uphill battle if they're to even have a chance of lifting the illustrious trophy in 2023. PSG head into their round of 16 second leg with Bayern Munich 1-0 down, and they'll have to pull off the comeback in Bavaria without Kimpembe.

What injury did Presnel Kimpembe pick up against Marseille?

Kimpembe was stretchered off just 16 minutes into Sunday's Classique against Marseille. PSG eventually prevailed by a 3-0 scoreline thanks to Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi's brilliance, but Kimpembe's injury cast a dark cloud over the victory.

The 27-year-old centre-back ruptured his Achilles tendon when tracking Arsenal loanee Nuno Tavares.

What have PSG said about Presnel Kimpembe's injury?

PSG released a brief statement on Monday which read: "Presnel Kimpembe has ruptured his right Achilles tendon.

"He will undergo surgery to repair the tendon in the coming days."

When could Presnel Kimpembe return to action?

Not only will Kimpembe miss the remainder of 2022/23 with an Achilles rupture, but he'll miss a good chunk of next season, too.

The centre-back is expected to be out of action for up to eight to nine months once he undergoes surgery. Thus, while we should see him return before the end of the calendar year, that's not a guarantee.

Who will replace Presnel Kimpembe in the PSG XI?

Christophe Galtier has consistently shifted between a back three and four this season, so Kimpembe's replacement will depend on the system Galtier opts for.

In a back four, Sergio Ramos will partner Marquinhos at centre-back, but Danilo Pereira, who replaced Kimpembe on Sunday, could be introduced to PSG's three-man defence.

Full-back Noni Madueke has played as a right centre-back in a back three in the past, but hasn't been used there much by Galtier this season. Teenager El Chadaille Bitshiabu has also started to earn minutes for the senior side and could play a more prominent role down the stretch.