Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger, has a particularly prestigious backer in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. On social media, Toni Kroos placed the Georgian international at the top of his rankings and heaped immense praise upon him—comments that were widely reported by Onze Mondial.
Kroos: “He’s number one for me”
“It’s probably not the most obvious choice, but he’s number one for me. The best player of last season. The best player on the best club team in the world.”
Such an assessment carries special weight coming from Toni Kroos. The former Real Madrid playmaker isn’t merely championing an unconventional pick; he is positioning Kvaratskhelia above all other contenders. His choice recognizes a player who is not only spectacular but, above all, decisive in Paris Saint-Germain’s biggest matches.
Despite missing the World Cup, the Georgian boasts an incredibly strong case. Kroos highlights a fundamental point that is sometimes overshadowed by the media frenzy surrounding the World Cup: the Ballon d’Or should also reward consistency, team influence, and excellence over the course of an entire season.
By hailing Kvaratskhelia as the standout player of the world’s best club team, the German also directly validates the Parisian project. The number 7 would no longer be just one of PSG’s major stars, but the shining face of the club’s European success. It is a significant endorsement for a player who has now firmly established himself among the world’s elite.
