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.

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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.

Ibrahimovic won't be able to push through this. The hamstring, due to both its function and its antagonistic relationship to the quadriceps, is susceptible to re-injury. The muscle repairs itself with scar tissue and is around 70 percent as strong as the muscle tissue it replaces.

Since the function of a striker, especially a rangy striker like Ibrahimovic, calls for both quick bursts like how he was injured and jumps, the hamstring is going to need to be functionally healthy before he can get back on the pitch. That could take "weeks" as was said, or even longer if necessary. 

Ibrahimovic does have a history of leg injuries. He's had both knee and quad injuries, but both were years ago and he's shown no significant problems over the past few seasons. PSG did an unusually thorough physical before his transfer in, so they felt comfortable with him at the time of his transfer. He's played in virtually all his available matches over his last five seasons. Since Ibrahimovic did return well from those injuries, there's no reason to think he will not have a normal recovery here.

While Ibrahimovic did not score, he still had to be accounted for defensively. Jose Mourinho said after the loss in Paris that Ibrahimovic was "completely under control", as per The Independent, but without needing to account for him quite as tightly, the Chelsea defense might be better equipped to deal with PSG's pace. 

Ibrahimovic will also miss upcoming Ligue 1 matches, but with the title already in control and depth at the position, PSG is much more worried about Ibrahimovic's availability for the Champions League. 

While losing a star for any period of time is difficult and hamstring injuries being among the most lingering type of physical issue, PSG is in good position. They have a lead in league play, a two-goal advantage in the Champions League tie and good depth. The club can afford to let Ibrahimovic take the time he'll need to get his legs back under him, literally, as PSG pushes forward.