Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembélé, Paris Saint-Germain attackers aged 25 and 29, gave a joint interview to BBC Sport. In this conversation—which includes a separate individual segment—the Georgian and French internationals open up about the Ballon d’Or, their progress at PSG, their teammates, and coach Luis Enrique.
Dembélé: “It’s a good thing we didn’t let him go to the Premier League.”
Dembélé: Do you remember your first memory of Kvaratskhelia in training?
It was cold (laughs). It was January; I don’t really remember—I was too cold (laughs).
Kvaratskhelia, what about your first memory of Dembélé?
When I was at Napoli, he followed me on Instagram, and I thought he’d done it by mistake (laughs). When I arrived, I asked him about it. He told me he used to watch the matches and had shown his friends that I was following him. Now we’re friends. He’s a guy who’s always laughing, always positive.
What makes Kvaratskhelia special?
His quality—whether at Napoli or PSG. The way he attacks, defends, and helps the whole team. PSG made a great signing; it’s a good thing we didn’t let him go to the Premier League (laughs). It really fits the PSG mentality, the team’s spirit. He’s a very important player for us. Plus, he’s only 25; he still has some great years ahead of him.
Kvaratskhelia: “He’s the most talented player I’ve ever seen.” What makes Dembélé special as a player?
His qualities, the way he plays with both feet, his acceleration, his connection with the ball. He is the most talented player I have ever seen.
On playing alongside Dembélé: how would you describe it?
Electric. Whenever he has the ball, something could happen. Every time he goes one-on-one, he takes on his opponent and shows his true quality. He was exceptional, especially in the Champions League—that’s why he was named Player of the Match. He’s a player who helps us both defensively and offensively; he contributes goals and assists. He’s a perfect fit for PSG.
What is it like playing with Ousmane?
I think we understand each other very well. I’m thinking of the assist against Bayern Munich: when I saw him, I knew exactly where he’d be. It’s easy to understand him because he understands football. You just have to make the run, and he’ll deliver the ball perfectly. It’s very easy.
Dembélé: “Can we split it in two?”
Ousmane, who’s going to win the Ballon d’Or?
Him. Honestly, he deserves it. Like I said, his season was exceptional. As the saying goes, he was a sight to behold.
Khvicha, who deserves the Ballon d’Or?
Ousmane, of course. Because he’s an exceptional player; the way he leads the team is important. What he brings to the team is essential. His season was incredible. It’s just like when he won it before.
(Dembélé) Can we split it in two? (laughs).
Kvaratskhelia answers on his own:
Khvicha, what was it like growing up in Georgia?
I’d say everything revolved around football. Right after school, we’d play all the time. Sometimes we’d even skip class (laughs).
Was football the center of your life?
Yes, but not just for me. Football is what kids in Georgia love most.
Kvaratskhelia: “I used to say my dad was the best—better than Messi or Ronaldo.”
When did you first join a club?
I remember it well, because before that, I only played in the street. My dad played, and people told him it would be good for me to join a club. I started at a small club. Later, I joined an academy. I signed my first contract when I was 12.
What role did your father play?
He was my idol early on. I couldn’t look things up on the internet (smiles). We had videos of my dad, and I used to watch them. I always used to say my dad was the best—better than Messi or Ronaldo. Later, I realized just how far ahead of the pack they are (laughs). But my father was a very good player.
Did he give you any advice?
After a match, he never talked to me about my mistakes, because he wanted me to learn from them. He would tell me to get plenty of rest—he focused on the positives.
Kvaratskhelia: “I told my agent and my father not to speak to other clubs.”
Have you always been a winger?
In one match, I played right-back. I got the ball, dribbled past six players, found myself one-on-one with the goalkeeper… and missed. After that, I was always a winger.
Did you never want to play another position?
I’ve always been a left or right winger, sometimes a number 10. But primarily, I’m a left winger.
Two key moments in your career: the move to Napoli, then the move to PSG:
I always wanted to play at the highest level in Europe. It’s great to see what you can achieve. When I was in Russia, my dream was to join a big European club. When I signed for Napoli, I felt I could do it—show that I deserved it.
PSG was another step forward; it’s one of the greatest clubs in history. When they told me about the project and how they’d been tracking me, I told my agent and my father not to speak to other clubs. I knew I could succeed.
Kvaratskhelia: “Being with him means learning something new every day.”
What has Luis Enrique brought to your game?
I’ve learned so much—maybe I could be a coach right now! (Smiles) Being with him means learning something new every day. Mentally, tactically, psychologically, physically—he teaches you a lesson every day. You just have to listen, do what he says, and give your all.
What do you think of your journey so far?
I used to think it would be impossible for me. Playing for the national team seemed like a distant dream. It’s the same for every kid. But as we move forward, everything seems clearer.
Kvaratskhelia: “This team has the desire to win everything.”
How would winning the Ballon d’Or change things?
It’s hard for big countries to understand what it means for small countries. It seems so far off—impossible for us. I am very proud to be a nominee alongside such extraordinary players. I would be overjoyed. I want to make my family and my country proud.
Can you win a third consecutive Champions League?
Anything is possible. When I first arrived, it was hard to imagine winning it even once, but we did it. Then, it was hard to think about a second one, but we did that too. Anything is possible in football if you have the hunger. I think this team has the desire to win everything. I think we can do it.
Dembélé answers:
What memories do you have of the Ballon d’Or evening?
It was exceptional. All my loved ones were there, as well as people from Evreux whom we had invited.
Dembélé: “That’s what we’ll remember in 20 years.”
What makes you prouder: winning the Ballon d’Or or making the team better?
Winning an individual trophy like the Ballon d’Or is exceptional, but the most important thing when I signed for PSG was winning the Champions League. We’ve won two, and we want to keep winning. That’s what matters most—the memories you leave for the fans and the people of Paris. It’s a real victory, as are the moments shared with my teammates.
When you return to Paris and see everything shut down because the Champions League trophy is being presented—that’s what we’ll remember in 20 years.
Does winning the Ballon d’Or change anything? Have you changed?
When you win a trophy like that, a lot of things change. But I try to stay the same. There are higher expectations, a bit of pressure. You can feel it. You’ve won this exceptional title. But as soon as I step onto the pitch, I don’t change the way I play or the way I see things. That’s the only way I can shine and help the team.
Dembélé: “Over the years, I’ve strived for efficiency.”
Do you try to play like the young Ousmane, or do you have to put that carefree attitude aside?
I keep a bit of it—I know I still have it—to enjoy myself. But above all, I wanted to be effective, and that has worked out well for me.
Did you prioritize efficiency back then?
Yes, when I was younger, I wanted to pull off nutmegs and quick cuts—you hear the crowd, it’s only natural (smiles). Later on, as the years went by, I focused on efficiency. I also played alongside the best, like Messi at Barcelona; everything he did was about efficiency.
How do you stay at the top?
All this success is also thanks to my teammates. They help me and put me in the best possible position. It’s an individual trophy, but the team plays a huge part.
What would it mean to win it a second time in a row?
Once you’ve won it the first time, you don’t want people saying it was just luck. You have that drive to stay at the top. There’s a sense of pride and the experience of exceptional moments. We’ll see what happens.
