The official Ballon d’Or website has published a feature on Georgia national team and Paris Saint-Germain footballer Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The article examines the defining stages of the 2026 Ballon d’Or nominee’s career, including his current spell with the French powerhouse as well as his earlier appearances for Russian clubs.
The piece highlights that Kvaratskhelia is enjoying the finest stretch of his professional career. In the UEFA Champions League, he tallied 10 goals and 6 assists, breaking PSG’s club record for the most goal contributions in a single campaign of the tournament.
The Ballon d’Or writers emphasize the Georgian player’s combination of efficiency and high football intelligence. They note that what sets Kvaratskhelia apart from many of his peers is his consistency and sustained impact on the game.
His dribbling ability, knack for beating defenders with feints, and two-footed proficiency were among the primary reasons PSG paid a substantial transfer fee for the player, anticipating that he would emerge as the club’s new headline star following the era of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappé.
The article pays particular attention to Kvaratskhelia’s stint with Italy’s Napoli. Ballon d’Or notes that during his three years with the Neapolitan side, he developed into one of the world’s premier attacking players and became a central figure in the team’s two championship-winning seasons.
For his exploits and electrifying style of play, the Georgian forward earned the moniker “Kvaradona” from supporters—a nod to Argentine football icon Diego Maradona, who also starred for Napoli.
Journalist Jeremy Smith notes that Kvaratskhelia has provided PSG not only with star quality, but also with squad depth and an immense work ethic. According to the expert, the Georgian international embodies an old-school football philosophy: he hugs the touchline, takes on opponents with technique and burst, yet actively tracks back to assist in defense.
In conclusion, Smith underscores that triumphing in major competitions demands both good fortune and a player operating a level above the competition. In his assessment, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was precisely that player for PSG last season.
On September 8, 2026, Ballon d’Or revealed its 30-man shortlist for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named among the contenders in recognition of his individual displays and the silverware won by his side. The awards ceremony will take place in London on October 26, with the winner decided by a jury of 100 international journalists.
