Georgia and Paris Saint-Germain star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has offered a composed response to questions surrounding his Ballon d’Or ambitions, insisting that the prestigious individual award ultimately rests in the hands of the voters.
Kvaratskhelia, who has established himself among Europe’s most exciting attacking players, was speaking to L’Équipe when asked about his chances of competing for football’s most coveted individual prize.
“It doesn’t depend on me, but on those who vote.”
The Georgian international’s response reflects his focus on performance rather than individual recognition. For Kvaratskhelia, simply being considered among the world’s leading footballers is already a significant achievement.
“To be up there with football stars, it’s already a big pleasure,” he added.
Kvaratskhelia’s Rise Among Football’s Elite
Kvaratskhelia’s rapid rise has made him one of the most recognizable names in European football. Known for his creativity, dribbling ability, close control and unpredictability in one-on-one situations, the Georgian winger has attracted attention at the highest level.
His performances have also placed him in conversations surrounding major individual honours, including the Ballon d’Or.
The award, presented annually to the player judged to have performed best over the course of the season, is decided through voting. Players therefore have little direct control over the final outcome, making Kvaratskhelia’s comments understandable.
Rather than making bold predictions about where he might finish, the PSG attacker appears content to appreciate the recognition that comes with being included among football’s biggest names.
A Humble Approach to Individual Awards
Kvaratskhelia’s comments also underline the mentality that has accompanied his development. While many players openly discuss their ambitions to win individual awards, the 23-year-old has chosen to emphasize what he can control: his performances on the pitch.
For a player representing Georgia on the international stage and competing for major honours with Paris Saint-Germain, maintaining that perspective can be valuable.
The Ballon d’Or is influenced by numerous factors, including individual statistics, team success, performances in major competitions and the opinions of voters around the world. Consequently, even an outstanding season does not guarantee victory.
Kvaratskhelia appears to understand that reality.
Ballon d’Or Recognition Is Already an Achievement
Being mentioned in the same conversation as football superstars represents another milestone in Kvaratskhelia’s career.
His statement that it is already a “big pleasure” to be among football stars demonstrates how far he has come. From becoming a breakthrough talent to establishing himself on the biggest stages in European football, Kvaratskhelia’s trajectory has been remarkable.
Whether he ultimately wins the Ballon d’Or or finishes among the leading contenders, the Georgian star’s presence in the discussion is evidence of his growing stature in world football.
For now, Kvaratskhelia is leaving the decision to the voters while concentrating on what brought him into the conversation in the first place: his football.
What’s Next for Kvaratskhelia?
With major domestic and European competitions providing further opportunities to impress, Kvaratskhelia will have plenty of chances to strengthen his case for future individual honours.
His approach is straightforward: perform at the highest level, help his team succeed and let the voters make the final decision.
For Kvaratskhelia, being mentioned alongside the biggest names in football is already something worth celebrating.
And if his performances continue to match his growing reputation, the Ballon d’Or conversation may only become louder.