PSG's Kvaratskhelia sees his Ballon d’Or threatened by a bleak season

In the luminous halo of the Parc des Princes, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, crowned best player of the 2025‑2026 Champions League season, struggles to impose his game with PSG. While his sole goal came against Aston Villa in the UEFA Super Cup, his impact remains limited.

This goal against Aston Villa is the only direct contribution from the Georgian international in official competitions since his arrival. In the league, he provided an assist against Monaco, but no other decisive actions have been added to his record. Moreover, he missed the World Cup this summer, which makes him fresher than some of his teammates.

Luis Enrique pulls Kvaratskhelia early

Luis Enrique is not mistaken and no longer hesitates to pull Kvaratskhelia off the pitch prematurely. The coach even left the Georgian on the bench for the first Champions League match against Slovan Bratislava, then omitted him from the lineup against Olympique de Marseille at the Velodrome. He can’t even understand how anyone can debate Kvaratskhelia given what he has done since arriving.

On Sunday, against Olympique de Marseille, the former Neapolitan did not reach the expected playing time, delivering a pale copy of the performance anticipated at the Velodrome. This absence reinforces the idea of a worrying loss of pace for the Ballon d’Or contender. He has undeniably lost his impact since the start of the season.

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Rothen and Di Meco speak out

On RMC, Jérôme Rothen said: “What I reproach him for is everything that makes his strength, his commitment.” He added that when talking about the Ballon d’Or, one must be demanding, even if the player is not at his best level.

Eric Di Meco tempered those remarks, recalling that last year Kvaratskhelia had a similar start to the season before finishing strongly. He hopes the international break, where the Georgian will reunite with Willy Sagnol, will restore his confidence.

Considered a legitimate Ballon d’Or contender thanks to his past performances, the player now sees his image tarnished by a series of mediocre displays. The debate intensifies as the club relies on him from February to May. The criticism of him is no longer silent, as the media debate shows.

For PSG, the situation illustrates the difficulty of turning a Champions League talent into a daily engine. If Kvaratskhelia does not quickly regain his level, the club will have to reassess his role in the title race.