KHVICHA KVARATSKHELIA has been dubbed the next Diego Maradona – and has the perfect nickname to go with it.
Napoli fans did not take long to fall in love with their bargain summer signing who has endured an eventful year fleeing war, moving to “beautiful” Naples and tearing up right-backs for fun in the Champions League.
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The 21-year-old scored his first goal in the competition in Napoli’s 6-1 thrashing of Ajax to take his record for the Italian giants to six goals and four assists in 11 appearances and 20 in 33 overall in 20222.
That includes five in eight in his first two months in Serie A – behind only Marko Arnautovic this season.
And with his electrifying pace and sublime skill, it is no wonder his new adoring supporters are calling him ‘Kvaradona’ after their iconic legend and arguably the greatest footballer of all time.
FITS THE TSBIL
Kvaratskhelia was born in Tbilisi, Georgia in February 2001 and is the son of former Azerbaijan international Badri Kvaratskhelia.
However, despite getting into football aged eight, the new superstar insists he has never played just to keep his father happy but purely for his own love of the game.
It did not take him long to progress through the ranks at hometown club Dinamo Tbilisi, where he made his debut aged 16 but was soon snapped up by Rustavi, from whom he joined Lokomotiv Moscow on loan in 2019, winning the Russian Cup.
The 6ft ace signed a five-year permanent deal with Rubin Kazan in the Russian top flight later that same year aged 18 and made an immediate impact.
Kvaratskhelia’s debut season saw him collect FOUR player of the month awards, named in L’Equipe’s top 50 players born in the 21st century and his market value increase FIVE-FOLD.
However, as the illegal invasion of Ukraine halted the 2021-22 season, the wizard winger was allowed to suspend his contract and returned home to Georgia, joining Dinami Batumi in March for the remainder of the campaign.
CAUGHT RIVALS NAP-PING
His performances with Rubin Kazan and Georgia already had scouts across Europe sitting up and taking notice, especially at Napoli.
But Italy always seemed destined to be the next step – despite transfer interest from Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham.
AC Milan was one option but Juventus were in pole position with Fabio Paratici having a deal all agreed until he left for Spurs.
That enabled Napoli to pounce and – with the help of two former AC Milan players, advisor Cristian Zaccardo and Kakha Kaladze – finally land Kvaratskhelia for just £9million (€10m) until 2027.
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Any fears Luciano Spalletti may have had about his new left winger, who can also operate on the right or centrally, settling in were quickly eliminated – no doubt helped by the pizza lover getting his chops into a local Neapolitan.
Kvaratskhelia scored two and set up another on his unofficial friendly debut then became the first player in Napoli’s history to score three goals in their first two league matches as he led the Serie A golden boot race and was named player of the month for August in a scintillating start.
It could have been ever better for Kvaratskhelia but for the width of the post – a classy Zinedine Zidane-esque turn and rocket shot crashed against the upright and denied the youngster a goal of the season contender.
GOALS GALORE
Already possessed with bags of talent, creative flair, an ability and confidence to dribble past defenders, comfortable with both feet and strong in the air, Kvaratskhelia has now added goals to his game.
It means he really does have no obvious weakness, a remarkable feat for someone so young and early in their career who is taking every new challenge in his stride, including dealing with 200,000 new Instagram followers in the last month.
Kvaratskhelia is unpredictable and seems to be made to play in Europe
Alessandro Del Piero
Spalletti, whose side sit top of the Serie A table and Group A in Europe, said: “He is able to control any ball and make it clean, he has this very shy way of doing things, he never wants to be the centre of attention, but when he plays football, he is so confident.”
Italy hero Alessandro Del Piero added: “Watch out for Kvaratskhelia. He is unpredictable and talented, he seems to be made to play in Europe.”
Since the Russian league briefly resumed in February, Kvaratskhelia cannot stop scoring.
He grabbed one more for Rubin Kazan then eight in 11 for Batumi and now six for Napoli – plus five in seven caps for Georgia.
His overall record for the national team is ten goals in 19 games – his double dealt Sweden a crushing blow in World Cup qualification – and five in the Nations League saw the Crusaders promoted.
It means fans are getting very used to see his trademark celebration, making a ‘B’ with his hand under the other – a nod of dedication to a loved one back home in Georgia.
GRAND BUT GROUNDED
Speaking of Georgia, that is where Kvaratskhelia still loves to return to at every opportunity and has a strong affinity with its people.
It is said Georgian migrant workers in Naples already hail him for making them feel seen and proud in the city since his arrival.
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Kvaratskhelia is, above all, a family man as the middle of three boys – his younger brother, 12, already hopes to follow in his sibling’s footballing footsteps.
Away from the football field, he enjoys playing tennis and basketball.
When he does get the chance to go home, Kvaratskhelia will regularly link up with his pals on the court, trying to replicate his beloved Golden State Warriors and idol Steph Curry or head up into the mountains to unwind.
Kvaratskhelia is a two-time Georgian player of the year and will no doubt add a few more to his ever-expanding trophy cabinet.
But there are concerns for many in the country that politicians will try and use him for their own personal or party gain as a figurehead.
Kvaratskhelia has already been referenced in government speeches and he has close ties with fellow ex-defender Kaladze, who is now Mayor of Tbilisi and General Secretary of the Georgian Dream political party.
For now, though, the focus must be on Kvaratskhelia the footballer – a very special one at that.
