Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain and Georgia forward, discussed a range of topics with The Athletic. These included his teammates Ousmane Dembélé (29-year-old forward) and Fabian Ruiz (30-year-old midfielder), as well as his goal celebration, his role as a role model in his home country, and the way he wears his socks during matches.
Kvaratskhelia “He always does these moves; for us it’s nothing new. This is what Ousmane is.”
The 5–4 against Bayern?
It was a crazy game. This game will always remain in football history. To play this game was a privilege.
The World Cup?
I was only watching my team-mates’ games. Sometimes I didn’t sleep because of these guys.
Dembélé’s hat-trick against Norway?
I watched that game. We see it in the PSG games. He always does these moves; for us it’s nothing new. This is what Ousmane is.
Kvaratskhelia “He’s so underrated because the way he understands football is really crazy.”
Ruiz ?
He’s so underrated because the way he understands football is really crazy. I don’t know who said it about (Sergio) Busquets — when you watch football, you don’t see Busquets, but when you watch Busquets, you watch football. It’s the (same) for Fabi, because you don’t see him but his ability to understand football and the way he controls the game… the tempo is on another level.
Is the Ballon d’Or a topic of conversation in the dressing room?
“Sometimes. When I came here, when we won everything and when Ousmane won the Ballon d’Or, I was telling him that I came here to help him win the Ballon d’Or and the Champions League
Do you think you can win it?
If you ask every player, we don’t really think about individual trophies, it’s coming from the success of the team. And (for) the people who decide (the Ballon d’Or), this is their job.
Kvaratskhelia “After that, I scored the goal so I was thinking maybe it was luck.”
Why play with your socks down?
It was my first game at Napoli and I was feeling cramps for 35 minutes. Because it was my first game, perhaps I was stressed. Normally, I played (with my socks) up, like normal. I was thinking it could be good for my cramps to lower my socks. After that, I scored the goal so I was thinking maybe it was luck. After that I didn’t change it.
Kvaratskhelia “We respect everybody, but on the pitch we just want to dominate.”
Why your celebration?
Basketball. Achraf (Hakimi) and I were playing NBA together and one day I told him if I scored I would do this celebration, which is coming from most of the NBA players. After that, I just kept it.
Is there a particular reason for PSG’s strength against Premier League clubs?
I don’t think there is something. We respect everybody, but on the pitch we just want to dominate.
Kvaratskhelia “I’m showing them that everything is possible”
Is there particular pressure involved in being a role model in Georgia?
It’s a pleasure to be an example for Georgian kids, but of course it’s also pressure, because every time you’re going on the pitch, you should be an example for them, because they are watching every single action. Coming from a small country and being successful is an example. I’m showing them that everything is possible and if you have a dream, you can achieve it.”
Kvaratskhelia “I’ve never seen it before I came here.”
What is your favorite nickname?
My favourite is Kvaradona. I’m really proud that I played at Napoli. When they call me this, it’s a privilege and pressure as well, because when they compare you to one of the best football players in history, it’s really difficult to handle it. Nobody can compare with Maradona, but it’s a pleasure.
What would you like to take from Dembélé?
His ability to play with both feet, the way he keeps the ball and accelerates with it. I’ve never seen it before I came here. His talent is on another level.
