A pleasure to be among Ballon d’Or contenders – Kvaratskhelia
Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia forward, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, says it is a pleasure to be on the 30-player shortlist for the Ballon d’Or award. Read More: https://punchng.com/a-pleasure-to-be-among-ballon-dor-contenders-kvaratskhelia/
Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia expressed delight at being among the contenders for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. The Georgia international secured a place on the 30-player shortlist following a standout 2025-26 season, where he was named Champions League Player of the Season. Speaking to BBC Sport, Kvaratskhelia said, "To be a Ballon d'Or contender, it's already a pleasure to be among these players in the race."
Reflecting on his performance, he stated, "I feel like I did something special in the last year, I'm really happy and let's see what's gonna happen." The 25-year-old also expressed pride in representing Georgia at football's most esteemed individual competition, noting that even young fans understand they can achieve greatness regardless of their nation's size.
When asked about comparisons to Northern Ireland legend George Best, who claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1968, Kvaratskhelia acknowledged the comparison as a source of pride, acknowledging Best's historic status.
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