{
  "id": 9596718,
  "title": "A pleasure to be among Ballon d’Or contenders – Kvaratskhelia",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/a-pleasure-to-be-among-ballon-dor-contenders-kvaratskhelia",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T17:56:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/a-pleasure-to-be-among-ballon-dor-contenders-kvaratskhelia/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Paris Saint-Germain striker Khvicha Kvaratskhelia expressed delight at being among the contenders for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. The 25-year-old Georgian international was named to the 30-player shortlist following an outstanding 2025-26 season, during which he was recognized as Champions League Player of the Season. Kvaratskhelia told BBC Sport, \"To be a Ballon d’Or contender, it’s already a pleasure to be among these players in the race.\" He added, \"I feel already that I did something special in the last year, I’m really happy and let’s see what’s gonna happen.\" Kvaratskhelia particularly valued representing Georgia on the world's most prominent individual football stage, stating, \"I’m happy that I represent Georgia, a small country. Little kids, they know that even if they are from a small country, they can achieve these things.\" When asked about comparisons to Northern Ireland's George Best, a Ballon d’Or winner in 1968, Kvaratskhelia replied, \"Some people a long time ago told me even when I played it seems 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.\"",
  "summary": "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/",
  "key_points": [
    "Khvicha Kvaratskhelia delighted to be Ballon d’Or contender.",
    "25-year-old Georgian international named to 30-player shortlist.",
    "Proud to represent small country Georgia."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "A pleasure to be among Ballon d’Or contenders – Kvaratskhelia",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/a-pleasure-to-be-among-ballon-dor-contenders-kvaratskhelia-9598039",
        "published": "2026-09-24T18:02:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}