Georges Mikautadze, the 26-year-old Georgian forward who plays for Villarreal, spoke to L’Équipe ahead of this Tuesday evening’s clash against Paris Saint-Germain (kick-off at 9:00 PM CET) for the fourth matchday of the 2026–2027 Champions League league phase. The former Olympique Lyonnais player discussed the upcoming encounter, his compatriot Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (the 25-year-old PSG forward), and the arrival in Paris of Mika Godts—a 21-year-old forward and former teammate of his from their time at Ajax Amsterdam.
Mikautadze: “All the ingredients are there for a big match.”
“What is your mindset heading into this game?
It’s exciting, naturally. It’s the Champions League, playing against the two-time reigning European champions (2025, 2026), at home, with a fantastic atmosphere… All the ingredients are there for a big match. I love high-stakes games like this. It’s a positive kind of stress. I want to enjoy the moment and show what I can do. Everyone will be there—family, friends—so I can’t afford to slip up. (Smiles.)
Has PSG become the benchmark in the world of football?
They are the best team in the world—the one everyone is watching. They’re like a steamroller. They have no weaknesses. Every position is covered by two players, and they’re all highly versatile—they can play almost anywhere. Both collectively and individually, they are incredibly complete.”
It’s a major occasion, especially for Villarreal. The Champions League is the stuff of dreams, and the chance to face the two-time European champions only adds to the excitement. There is a distinct desire to pull off a major upset, especially on home soil. The atmosphere promises to be electric. It is also worth noting that the Spanish side is in need of points, having only secured 3 so far.
The intensity will certainly be high, and PSG must be prepared to respond. One can trust PSG coach Luis Enrique to instill the right mindset; there is no room for complacency—regardless of the club’s two Champions League titles or their three wins to start this league phase. Such is the standard set by the coach, who never wishes to dwell on past achievements. This is precisely why the team continues to impress and why so much is expected of them. Mikautadze, for one, makes no secret of his admiration; he knows that he and his teammates will need to deliver an extraordinary performance to stand any chance.
Mikautadze: “All of Georgia is behind him.” Your friend and compatriot Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who is injured (*), will be absent…
“We’re close; we often spend time together when with the national team. He’s a really great guy. During the last international break, we talked about seeing each other again for this match. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury. I’ve been through it myself, and it’s tough for him—it’s the hardest kind of injury for a footballer. It’s also a major blow for the national team, especially since he’s our captain. All of Georgia is behind him.”
Were you surprised by his sixth-place finish for the France Football Ballon d’Or?
“Yes, it’s unfair. He deserved to be higher in the rankings—at least in the top five—given his performance in the Champions League, which he won. In the knockout stages, he was scoring goals and constantly carrying his team. He’s someone I look up to.”
Kvaratskhelia will surely appreciate this support from his compatriot, who is understandably affected by his long-term injury. The two are close, both on and off the pitch. It will take patience, hard work, and courage for the Parisian forward to return to his best. We trust him to give his absolute all. The Ballon d’Or feels very distant right now; the injury only reinforces the sense that it’s a secondary matter. Still, it was surprising to see a sixth-place finish for a forward who was so essential to PSG’s Champions League triumph.
Mikautadze: “He was already a great player”
“Did Godts’ transfer to PSG surprise you?
No, because when I first met him, he was already a great player with immense potential. He has a profile somewhat similar to Kvara’s. Technically, he’s an excellent player. Even back then, he had that spark—that desire to take players on, that speed, and the ability to unleash shots or execute dribbles in a split second. He was one of the few who spoke French, so we used to talk quite a bit. I congratulated him after his move to Paris.”
Godts needed some time to adapt, and that process is likely still ongoing. This is only natural following a transfer—especially one that marks such a significant milestone in a player’s career. Yet, some began to express doubts almost immediately, as if PSG might have signed him purely by chance. And yet, his talent is clear; he demonstrated it at Ajax and with the Belgian national team—and even at PSG, in moments where his overall performance may have been less convincing.
Mikautadze’s assessment is spot on; the resemblance to Kvaratskhelia is evident—though, of course, one shouldn’t expect him to be the exact same type of player. Let’s allow Godts the space to work with peace of mind; he himself often highlights the confidence shown in him by both PSG and Luis Enrique. That support will help him progress and fully realize his “immense potential.”
