Paris Saint‑Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia announced his delight after being named on the 30‑player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or, set to be awarded on 26 October. The Georgian, who was named Champions League player of the season for 2025‑26, said the nomination itself was a pleasure and that he already feels he has done something special in the past year.
Speaking to reporters, Kvaratskhelia added, "I already feel that I did something special in the last year; I'm really happy, and let's see what's gonna happen." He highlighted the significance for a small country, noting that young fans in Georgia now see that even from a modest nation they can reach the sport’s highest honours.
The comparison to George Best, Northern Ireland’s 1968 Ballon d’Or winner, surfaced during the conversation. Kvaratskhelia said, "What about George Best? I know him, of course. Some people a long time ago told me that, even when I played, it seemed like him. I'm not sure because he was one of the best in football history and it [the comparison] is a pleasure and I'm proud."
Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill, who has never seen Best win the award, praised the legacy Best left for a small footballing nation and welcomed the possibility of a new star emerging from another small country.
Despite the individual acclaim, Kvaratskhelia’s national coach Willy Sagnol stressed the player’s team‑first mentality. Sagnol said, "Khvicha never said that and that's why I'm very proud to be his head coach. He's not just about a fantastic football player, but he's also a fantastic personality who thinks always about the team and not about himself and I'm sure he will show it again."
With the Nations League match against Northern Ireland slated for Friday, Kvaratskhelia’s nomination adds an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming fixture. Fans will be watching to see if the Georgian can live up to the lofty comparison as he faces a country that produced a Ballon d’Or legend.
