Khvicha Kvaratskhelia: ‘Kvaradona’ The Georgian Messi

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of the most exciting wingers and the most popular Georgian footballer in recent times. He has earned the nickname “Kvaradona” due to his similar dribbling style to Napoli legend Diego Maradona.

He alongside Victor Osimhen and Zambo Anguissa have become the mainstay of the Napoli team in the Serie A. With his dribbling talents, he been compared to other electrifying wingers such as Garnacho, Vinicius Jr. and Xavi Simons. Join Footballers’ Biographies, as we explore the adventure of the Georgian Messi.

Player Profile – Khvicha “Kvara” Kvaratskhelia

Khvicha “Kvara” Kvaratskhelia is a Georgian professional footballer known for his exceptional dribbling skills, agility, and creativity on the field.

Born on February 12, 2001, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Kvaratskhelia plays as a winger and has gained recognition for his dynamic play style and ability to change the course of a game with his technical prowess.

Kvaratskhelia began his professional career with Dinamo Tbilisi, later moving to Rustavi, and then to Lokomotiv Moscow on loan. His breakthrough came at Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League, where his performances earned him the title of the Russian Premier League Young Player of the Year.

In 2022, he signed with Napoli in Serie A, quickly becoming a key player and fan favourite due to his electrifying performances and knack for scoring crucial goals.

Internationally, Kvaratskhelia represents the Georgian national team, where he has been a standout player, consistently contributing to their offensive play. His vision, quick feet, and ability to beat defenders one-on-one make him a constant threat and a rising star in European football.

Player Profile Overview

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Early Life and Background

Khvicha grew up in a close-knit family with two brothers, being the middle child. His younger brother, Tornike, also dreams of becoming a professional footballer.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s first coach was his father, Badri Kvaratskhelia, a former Azerbaijani international player. His mother, Maka Lukava, a former footballer herself, has been a devoted supporter throughout his career.

From an early age, Khvicha’s passion for football was evident, and while his parents encouraged his aspirations, they never had to force him to train or pursue the sport.

Playing Style and Strength

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is renowned for his exceptional dribbling and ball control, allowing him to navigate through tight defences effortlessly.

His pace and quick acceleration make him a formidable threat on counter-attacks, while his technical ability ensures precise passes, crosses, and shots. Versatile in attacking positions, he excels as a winger and attacking midfielder, consistently scoring important goals with both feet.

Kvaratskhelia’s vision and creativity enable him to create scoring opportunities for teammates, and his high work rate and stamina contribute to both offensive and defensive plays. His mental toughness ensures he performs well under pressure, making him a key player in crucial moments.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Career Highlights

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia began his senior career at Dinamo Tbilisi in 2017, debuting as a substitute in a 1-1 draw against Kolkheti-1913 Poti.

He made five appearances and scored his first goal in a win over Shukura Kobuleti. Recognized for his talent, he received the Aleksandre Chivadze Golden Medal in 2017 and a silver medal in 2018 for his performances in Georgia’s youth teams.

In March 2018, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia left Dinamo Tbilisi due to a contract dispute and joined Rustavi on a free transfer, where he scored three goals in 18 appearances. His talent caught the attention of Bayern Munich, and he was listed among The Guardian’s 60 best young players worldwide in 2018.

Khvicha’s Russian Adventure

In February 2019, he joined Lokomotiv Moscow on loan, debuting in the Russian Premier League in March. Despite his talent and the interest of Lokomotiv Moscow’s manager Yuri Semin in a permanent transfer, Kvaratskhelia left the club after his loan ended in July 2019.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia signed a five-year contract with Rubin Kazan on 6 July 2019 and played his first game on 15 July against Lokomotiv, scoring an equalizer in a 1–1 draw. His performance was highly praised, and he was named the best player of the match by Rubin fans.

His signing was considered a major success for Rubin Kazan, as his market value increased significantly within a year. Kvaratskhelia won the Player of the Month award four times during the 2020–21 season.

In early 2021, he was included in L’Equipe’s list of the 50 best players born in the 21st century, being the only player from the Russian Premier League (RPL) on the list.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s Return to Georgia

Following FIFA’s announcement allowing foreign players in Russia to suspend their contracts due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Kvaratskhelia suspended his contract with Rubin Kazan on 24 March 2022 and joined Dinamo Batumi in Georgia.

During his time with Dinamo Batumi, he played 11 league matches, scoring eight goals and providing two assists, and was named the best player of the second round of the season.

Winning the Serie A with Napoli

Napoli signed Khvicha Kvaratskhelia from Dinamo Batumi on 1 July 2022. He had an impressive start, scoring and assisting in his debut and netting twice in his second game. He became the first Napoli player to score three goals in the first two matches and was named Serie A Player of the Month for August 2022.

Kvaratskhelia scored his first Champions League goal in October and continued to excel, earning multiple accolades, including Man of the Match and inclusion in the competition team of the week.

He won the Serie A Player of the Month again in February and March 2023, also receiving the Serie A Goal of the Month and Goal of the Season awards.

Khvicha and Victor Osimhen‘s performances that season were instrumental as Napoli clinched the Serie A title for the first time in 33 years on 4 May 2023.

Kvaratskhelia finished the season as the top assist provider with 10 assists, scored 12 goals, and was named Serie A MVP and Champions League Young Player of the Season.

Serie A Team of the Season

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia broke his six-month goal drought, scoring in Napoli’s 4–1 victory over Udinese. Throughout the season, he scored ten more goals, including one against Fiorentina, which was voted Serie A Goal of the Month.

Despite Napoli’s overall challenging 2023–24 season, Kvaratskhelia was recognized as a standout player. He was named in the EA FC 24 Serie A Team of the Season and received accolades from various analytical platforms.

Khvica Kvaratskhelia’s International Career

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia made his debut for the Georgia national football team on 7 June 2019 in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Gibraltar. He scored his first international goal on 14 October 2020 in a 1–1 draw with North Macedonia in the UEFA Nations League.

During the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification, he scored against Spain on 28 March 2021 and against Greece three days later. In the 2022–23 Nations League, he scored three goals in the first phase and two more in the autumn games, becoming the highest-scoring Georgian player of the tournament.

In autumn 2023, Kvaratskhelia scored five more goals, becoming the first Georgian player to score in four consecutive matches.

By March 2024, he was acknowledged as a key player in Georgia’s successful European Championship qualifying campaign. He is part of the Georgian national team that will compete at EURO 2024 in Germany

The Georgian Messi Who Loves Ronaldo

Khvicha is often compared to Lionel Messi due to his technical skill, creativity, and ability to dribble past defenders with ease. Despite these comparisons, Kvaratskhelia idolizes Cristiano Ronaldo, who is seen as his perennial rival.

When joining Napoli, he wanted to wear the number 7 shirt, traditionally associated with Ronaldo, but it was already taken by Elif Elmas. As a tribute to Ronaldo, Kvaratskhelia opted to wear the number 77 instead.

Personal Life and Interest

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a lifelong Real Madrid fan, a sentiment he shares with his siblings. His dream is to win the Champions League with Los Blancos, a club he has supported since childhood. Despite his agent, Mamuka Jugeli, acknowledging a personal preference for Barcelona.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shared that during his formative years, his idol was Guti Hernandez, a sentiment that preceded his admiration for Cristiano Ronaldo.

In August 2022, Kvaratskhelia announced in an interview that he had been dating Nitsa Tavadze, a Medical University student, for a year. They got married in October 2023 at Mtskheta’s Samtavro monastery.

He enjoys playing tennis, basketball, trekking, and video games, and is a fan of the NBA team Golden State Warriors and player Steph Curry.

During the off-season, he watches basketball games with his girlfriend and spends time socializing with old friends or relaxing in the mountains back home in Georgia.

Kvaratskhelia prefers simplicity and minimalism over luxuries like flashy cars and currently has no major endorsements or brand deals. One of his weaknesses is pizza, particularly enjoying slices from Luciano Sorbillo’s in Naples.

Conclusion

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has quickly risen to international fame with his speed, dribbling, and goal-scoring prowess. From Tbilisi’s streets to European football’s big stages, Kvara’s journey showcases his talent and dedication.

His performances have inspired many and captured global attention, positioning him as a promising figure in the sport. As he continues to excel, Kvara is set to make a significant impact on the football world and represent Georgian football on the global stage.