Georges Mikautadze: The Prolific Georgian Hitman

Georges Mikautadze is one of the most promising and talented Georgian footballers in the world with a clinical poacher’s instinct and high football intelligence. Alongside Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Giorgi Mamardashvili, Mikautadze is also one of the most popular players from Georgia.

Mikautadze’s career suffered a blow after a poor spell at Ajax. He has since recovered his form after returning to Metz after only 6 months in the Eredivisie, which is a testament to his mental strength and drive.

Player Profile – Georges Mikautadze

Georges Mikautadze, born on October 31, 2000, is a Georgian forward known for his goal-scoring ability, technical skills, and versatility.

Playing for Metz and the Georgia national team, he has made significant contributions, including helping Georgia qualify for its first major tournament at UEFA Euro 2024.

Georges Mikautadze’s clinical finishing, intelligent movement, and physical presence have made him a key player, highlighted by his role as the top scorer in the Euro 2024 group stage. His dynamic playing style and determination promise a bright future in football.

Player Profile Overview

Georges Mikautadze’s Early Life and Background

Georges Mikautadze was born on October 31, 2000, in Lyon, France, to Georgian parents. Growing up in a multicultural environment, he developed a deep connection to both his French upbringing and Georgian heritage.

Mikautadze’s passion for football was evident from a young age, and he began his youth career at the local club, Saint-Priest, before joining the youth academy of FC Metz, a well-known French club, where he honed his skills and developed his potential as a forward.

His dual heritage played a significant role in shaping his identity and career choices. Despite being born and raised in France, Mikautadze chose to represent Georgia at the international level, a decision driven by his strong ties to his family’s roots and his desire to contribute to Georgian football.

The Emergence of Georges Mikautadze: Career Highlights

Georges Mikautadze began his football journey playing for Gerland’s youth sides before joining the Olympique Lyonnais academy. He also played for Saint-Priest before moving to FC Metz’s football academy in 2016.

Mikautadze made his professional debut for Metz in a Ligue 1 match against Nice on 7 December 2019, in which Metz lost 4–1. Shortly after, on 10 December 2019, he signed his first professional contract with Metz, securing a four-year deal.

However, he faced challenges in his first season in France, struggling to break into the first team and predominantly playing for the reserve team.

Moving on Multiple Loan Spells to Seraing

In June 2020, Giorgi Mikautadze, along with five other Metz players, joined Seraing in the Belgian First Division B on loan. In his first nine matches for Seraing, Mikautadze made a significant impact by scoring 15 goals, including four in his debut against Lommel.

By the end of the season, he scored a total of 19 goals, making him a joint top scorer. He also scored three crucial goals in a 6–3 aggregate play-off victory over Waasland-Beveren.

Georges Mikautadze’s outstanding performance earned him a place in the Team of the Season and the Métallo d’Or award, given annually to Seraing’s best player based on fan votes.

In August 2021, the Georgian forward returned to Seraing on loan, following the club’s promotion to the Belgian top tier. Despite the team’s struggle and placement in the relegation zone, they remained in the league after Mikautadze scored the decisive goal in the playoffs against Molenbeek.

Return to Metz

Georges Mikautadze returned to Metz in the summer of 2022. By March 2023, he became the leading goalscorer in the league and was named Player of the Month by the National Union of Professional Players (UNPF).

Throughout April and May, he scored nine additional goals and was selected in the Team of the Week six consecutive times. By the end of the season, Georges Mikautadze emerged as both the top goalscorer and the best player in the league.

In the 2023-24 season, with Metz promoted to Ligue 1, Mikautadze started strongly by scoring two goals each against Marseille and Clermont and providing an assist in the opening game against Rennes.

The Dutch Eredivisie Adventure

Mikautadze signed a five-year contract with Ajax on August 30, 2023, for an initial fee of €16 million, potentially rising to €19 million with add-ons. His debut came in a 0-0 draw against Fortuna Sittard, where he played the full game.

He also made his European debut in a 2-0 defeat to Brighton at the Amsterdam Arena. Despite these appearances, during the first half of the 2023-24 season, Mikautadze played in only nine matches across all competitions for Ajax without scoring a goal.

Return to Metz on Loan

On January 4, 2024, Mikautadze returned to Metz on loan from Ajax until the end of the 2023-24 season with an option to buy for around €10 million. Initially struggling to score in his first five games, he later found his form, scoring ten goals in as many matches.

His goals included a crucial brace in a 2-1 win over Lens, a penalty against Nantes, and a lob over Steve Mandanda in a 3-2 defeat to Rennes. Mikautadze’s contributions were significant, accounting for 30% of Metz’s goals despite making only 15 appearances in 29 matches by mid-April.

Georges Mikautadze was voted Player of the Month three times by Metz fans, specifically in August, February, and April. He finished the second half of the season with an impressive tally of 13 goals in 20 matches. Despite his personal success, Metz faced relegation after losing in the playoffs against Saint-Étienne.

Georges Mikautadze’s International Career

Georges Mikautadze received his first call-up to the Georgia national team in March 2021 under French coach Willy Sagnol. Expressing his lifelong dream to represent Georgia, Mikautadze made his debut in a 1–0 loss to Sweden in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match on 25 March 2021.

In June 2021, he scored his first international goal during a 2–1 friendly victory over Romania. A significant highlight came on 12 October 2023, when Mikautadze scored four goals in an 8–0 victory against Thailand, marking his first international hat-trick and poker, and setting a record for the largest win in Georgia’s national team history.

In Georgia’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, the player scored three goals across 10 games, which included crucial goals against Cyprus and Norway, helping his country qualify for its first major tournament.

Participating in UEFA EURO 2024

He was subsequently named in Georgia’s 26-man squad for the final tournament in Germany. During the tournament, on 18 June, Georges Mikautadze scored Georgia’s first-ever goal in the European competition, equalizing against Turkey in a match that ended in a 3–1 defeat.

In the following game, he scored a penalty in a 1–1 draw against the Czech Republic. Mikautadze’s next goal came on 26 June, again from a penalty, in a 2–0 victory over Portugal, after Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave the Georgians the lead in the first half.

His performance not only secured Georgia’s qualification to the knockout phase as one of the best third-placed teams but also made him the top scorer in the group stage with a total of three goals. They eventually lost 4-1 to Spain in the round of 16.

Georges Mikautadze’s Playing Style and Strengths

Georges Mikautadze is known for his dynamic playing style as a forward. He is adept at making intelligent runs behind the defensive line, exploiting spaces to create scoring opportunities.

While not the fastestMikautadze possesses good technical skills, enabling him to dribble past defenders and create chances for himself and his teammates. He is noted for his finishing ability, being clinical in front of goal both with his feet and from set-pieces like penalties.

Mikautadze’s physical presence and aerial prowess also make him a threat in the box during set-piece situations. Overall, his versatility and goal-scoring instincts contribute significantly to his effectiveness on the field.

Influences and Idols

Like fellow international teammate Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Georges Mikautadze’s career has been influenced by Cristiano Ronaldo. He also sees Thierry Henry, Zlatan Ibrahimović and David Trezeguet as influences on his career.

Additionally, fellow Georgian Kakha Kaladze‘s successful career and role in promoting Georgian football have inspired Mikautadze to represent his country with pride and aim for high achievements in his career.

Georges Mikautadze’s Personal Life and Interests

Georges Mikautadze is known to keep his personal life relatively private, focusing much of the public’s attention on his professional career. Georges Mikautadze was born and raised in France, visiting Georgia only during summers.

Despite growing up in France, his parents taught him the Georgian language, which he speaks with his family. This bicultural upbringing has given him a deep connection to both his French environment and Georgian heritage.

Conclusion

Georges Mikautadze’s football journey is characterized by his emergence as a prolific striker with a knack for scoring crucial goals. From his early career to his achievements in international competitions, Mikautadze has showcased versatility and a strong work ethic.

His ability to perform under pressure, evidenced by his key contributions in Georgia’s UEFA Euro 2024 qualification and tournament matches, highlights his importance to both club and national teams.

As he continues to evolve, Mikautadze remains a promising talent whose skills and determination promise a bright future in football.