Kvaratskheilia absent from 2026: Georgian star sidelined from Ballon d'Or favorites

Khvicha Kvaratskheilia of Paris Saint-Germain finds himself isolated among the thirty contenders for the 2026 Ballon d'Or: Georgia failed to secure qualification for the global tournament. His direct rivals, unlike him, will have the opportunity to shine in the competition in the United States, Canada and Mexico. This historical handicap echoes the situation experienced by Samuel Eto'o two decades ago. The Georgian striker thus loses a major platform to maintain his prestige on the collective stage.