Kvaratskhelia proud of George Best comparison as Ballon d'Or dream edges closer
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia says being nominated for the Ballon d'Or already feels "something special" — and the Paris St-Germain and Georgia star is proud to invite comparisons with one of the game's greatest icons, Northern Ireland's George Best.
The 25-year-old is one of 30 players on the shortlist to be named the world's best player, with the award set to be handed out on 26 October. Kvaratskhelia arrives at the ceremony as the reigning Champions League player of the season after winning back-to-back European crowns with PSG.
"To be a Ballon d'Or contender, it's already a pleasure to be among these players in the race," Kvaratskhelia said. "I feel already that I did something special in the last year, I'm really happy and let's see what's gonna happen."
"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," he added.
Small country, giant of the game
Northern Ireland, who face Georgia in the Nations League on Friday (live across BBC Sport), remain the smallest country by population to have produced a Ballon d'Or winner, with George Best the recipient of the award in 1968 after winning the European Cup with Manchester United.
And Kvaratskhelia, who has previously joked that his father was better than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo, says the Best comparison is a genuine source of pride.
"What about George Best? I know him, of course," said Kvaratskhelia. "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."
Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill was not yet born when Best lifted the Ballon d'Or, but he can appreciate what a global superstar means to a small footballing nation — and he knows exactly what Kvaratskhelia now represents to Georgia.
"George Best, an iconic figure in world football and obviously we're very privileged that he came from Northern Ireland. In many ways, he puts our country on the map," O'Neill said. "I think in Georgia, you have that situation now with Kvaratskhelia who I think is a world-class player.
"For me he was probably the best player in the Champions League last season over the whole competition. We obviously have to give him special attention.
"It's the same when you play against any world-class player in any country that you have to be aware that he can win the game in a moment, that he can create so much and he can lift his team as well."
'Khvicha never said that'
Despite the individual acclaim, Georgia head coach Willy Sagnol — a former France defender who was a Les Bleus team-mate of 1998 Ballon d'Or winner Zinedine Zidane — insists his star man remains relentlessly team-first.
"You were talking about Ballon d'Or. Times maybe change but I think sometimes the past was better where players were playing and waiting to the end to see who would be Ballon d'Or and then be happy to be or disappointed not to be," Sagnol said.
"Too many times in the last weeks, I see players saying 'I'm the best, I'm the best, I'm the best'.
"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 [on Friday] he will show it again."