Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Georgian footballer.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a Georgian professional footballer who plays as a winger for Serie A club Napoli and the Georgia national team. Born in 2001, Kvaratskhelia has rapidly emerged as one of the most exciting young attacking talents in European football over the past couple of seasons. He began his professional career with Georgian club Rustavi in 2017 before moving to Russian side Rubin Kazan's academy in 2018. Kvaratskhelia spent the next few years going out on various loans, first to Lokomotiv Moscow and then back to Rustavi and Dinamo Batumi.
It was in 2021-22, his first full campaign as a regular starter for Rubin Kazan, that Kvaratskhelia truly announced himself with a stunning season of performances. He scored 8 goals and provided a league-high 10 assists as Rubin finished 6th in the Russian Premier League.
Kvaratskhelia's dazzling dribbling ability, direct running, goals and creativity saw him earn a high-profile €10 million move to Italian giants Napoli in the summer of 2022. In his first season in Serie A, he has taken the league by storm with mesmerizing displays and already has 12 goals and 10 assists for the title challengers. The skilful Georgian winger possesses outstanding close control, pace, flair and end product that have drawn comparisons to legends like Arjen Robben.
Still just 21 years old, Kvaratskhelia is already a full international and looks destined for a glittering career at the highest level.
Family life & youth football
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was born on February 12, 2001 in the Georgian capital city of Tbilisi. From a young age, he showed a natural affinity and love for football, honing his skills on the streets and local pitches around his neighborhood.
Kvaratskhelia joined his first youth clubErta at the age of 6 in 2007. He immediately caught the eye with his precocious dribbling ability, skill and flair on the ball. Two years later in 2009, Kvaratskhelia was scouted and snapped up by the academy of Georgia's biggest club, Dinamo Tbilisi. He spent the next 8 years progressing through Dinamo's various youth ranks, developing into one of the country's brightest prospects. Kvaratskhelia starred for all of Dinamo's youth teams from U10 to U19 level, showcasing his goalscoring prowess and quality from out wide. In 2016, he received his first call-up to the Georgia U17 national team, going on to earn 16 caps and score 3 goals at that level over the next two years.
Kvaratskhelia was the star as Georgia won the 2017 UEFA U17 Championship, being named Player of the Tournament. His performances attracted interest from abroad and in 2018, aged just 17, Kvaratskhelia secured a move to the academy of Russian Premier League club Rubin Kazan. It proved the ideal stepping stone for him to accelerate his development before making his professional debut.
At Rubin's youth setup, the gifted winger continued catching the eye with his technique, skill and directness in the final third. He made 26 appearances and scored an impressive 12 goals for their U19 side during the 2018-19 season. By now an established Georgia U19 international with 22 caps, Kvaratskhelia was ready for the challenge of senior first-team football. His opportunity arrived in the form of a loan back to his first club Rustavi in January 2019.
Breaking into the first team
The 2018/19 campaign marked Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's first foray into senior professional football following his move from Dinamo Tbilisi's academy to Russian side Rubin Kazan. After initially joining Rubin's youth setup, the highly-rated 17-year-old winger was immediately sent out on loan in January 2019 to gain first-team experience at his former club Rustavi in Georgia's top division. Kvaratskhelia was eased into senior action, making his professional debut off the bench in a 2-0 win over Dila Gori on March 2nd. He went on to make a further 10 substitute appearances for Rustavi before the season's end in June.
The teenage prodigy scored his first ever senior goal in a 3-1 victory against Sioni Bolnisi on March 29th, opening his account by applying a neat finish following excellent dribbling work. Though predominantly used as an impact substitute, Kvaratskhelia showcased his immense potential whenever he was introduced. His mazy dribbling ability, acceleration and directness from the flanks caused chaos for tiring defences. While not prolific in terms of goals and assists, the youngster's confidence and flair on the ball highlighted why he was so highly rated. Rustavi finished 3rd in the league, with Kvaratskhelia's cameo contributions a promising sign of things to come.
His loan spell served as a valuable introduction to the demands and intensity of senior professional football before returning to Rubin Kazan ahead of the 2019/20 season. To accelerate his development further, Kazan decided to loan out Kvaratskhelia again, this time to Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow. It would prove an invaluable experience as he gained greater exposure at the highest level.
For the 2019/20 campaign, Rubin Kazan loaned out Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Russian Premier League side Lokomotiv Moscow in order to further accelerate his development at the highest level. It proved an invaluable experience for the talented Georgian winger as he made 22 appearances across all competitions for Lokomotiv, predominantly as an impact substitute. Kvaratskhelia scored his first senior club goal in Russia during a 2-1 win over FC Tambov in November 2019, applying a composed finish after cutting in from the left flank.
While he wasn't a regular starter, the teenager continued showcasing his blistering pace, close control and dribbling ability whenever he was introduced from the bench. Opposition defenses frequently struggled to cope with Kvaratskhelia's direct running and skill on the ball. His performances as an impact sub demonstrated his readiness for more regular game time. Kvaratskhelia caused persistent problems with his unpredictability and ability to create chances out of nothing. The loan move enabled him to adapt to the intense physicality and tactical demands of the Russian top flight at one of the country's biggest clubs.
It was the ideal experience for a young winger looking to fulfill his enormous potential. Despite his lack of starts, Kvaratskhelia gained invaluable minutes and continued displaying the same flair and directness that made him such an exciting prospect from a young age. Lokomotiv's coaching staff were impressed by his application and willingness to learn. With a full season of senior exposure now under his belt, Kvaratskhelia returned to Rubin Kazan ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. He was ready to push for more regular first-team involvement and truly showcase his ability from the start.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger, spent the 2020/21 season playing for Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League. During that campaign, Kvaratskhelia established himself as a key player for Rubin Kazan, showcasing his skill, speed, and creativity on the left flank. In total, Kvaratskhelia made 29 appearances in the Russian Premier League, contributing six goals and seven assists. His pace and dribbling ability made him a constant threat for opposing defenses, and he was often the driving force behind Rubin Kazan's attacking play.
One of Kvaratskhelia's standout performances came against CSKA Moscow in November 2020, where he scored a brace and provided an assist in a 3-1 victory. His impressive displays throughout the season earned him praise from fans and pundits alike, who recognized his talent and potential. Despite Rubin Kazan's overall struggles in the league, finishing in the bottom half of the table, Kvaratskhelia's individual performances caught the attention of several top clubs across Europe.
His ability to create chances, score goals, and his work rate made him a valuable asset for Rubin Kazan during the 2020/21 campaign. Kvaratskhelia's impressive season in Russia laid the foundation for his subsequent move to Napoli in the Italian Serie A, where he has continued to shine and establish himself as one of the most exciting young talents in European football.
Development and breakthrough
In the 2021/22 campaign, Kvaratskhelia continued his impressive form with Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League. He featured in 35 matches across all competitions, scoring 7 goals and providing a remarkable 17 assists. In the league, Kvaratskhelia scored 4 goals and provided 11 assists, cementing his reputation as one of the most creative and dangerous wingers in the Russian top flight. His dribbling skills, vision, and ability to deliver precise crosses made him a nightmare for opposition defenders. Kvaratskhelia's standout performance came in a 3-2 victory over Akhmat Grozny in November 2021, where he scored a goal and provided two assists, showcasing his ability to single-handedly influence matches.
Despite Rubin Kazan's struggles in the league, finishing 11th, Kvaratskhelia's individual brilliance did not go unnoticed. His consistent performances earned him the Georgian Footballer of the Year award for 2021, recognizing his talent and impact on the national team as well. Towards the end of the 2021/22 season, rumors began to circulate about Kvaratskhelia's potential move to one of Europe's top leagues, with several clubs expressing interest in securing his services. His impressive displays in Russia had caught the attention of scouts and pundits alike, paving the way for his eventual transfer to Napoli in the Italian Serie A in the summer of 2022.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had an exceptional 2022/23 season with Napoli, making 43 appearances across all competitions. In their first league match on August 15, 2022, Napoli secured a 5-2 victory against Hellas Verona. Kvaratskhelia played a significant role in this match, scoring one goal and providing an assist, showcasing his immediate impact on the team. In the UEFA Champions League, Napoli were drawn in Group A alongside Liverpool, Ajax, and Rangers. Napoli had an impressive group stage, finishing as group winners and advancing to the knockout stages.
By November, Kvaratskhelia was performing brilliantly in Serie A, consistently delivering standout performances and contributing significantly to Napoli's attack. The team was at the top of the league table, demonstrating strong form in their pursuit of the title. During the winter months, Kvaratskhelia delivered some notable performances. On November 12, 2022, in a match against Udinese, he scored a crucial goal and provided an assist in a 3-2 victory, earning him the Player of the Match award. Another significant performance came on January 29, 2023, where he scored the opening goal and provided an assist in a 2-1 victory against Roma, further highlighting his importance to the team.
In the domestic Coppa Italia, Napoli were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Cremonese. The tournament was eventually won by Inter Milan. In the UEFA Champions League, Napoli's campaign concluded in the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by AC Milan. Throughout the season, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's performances were outstanding. He emerged as a key player for Napoli, contributing significantly in both domestic and continental competitions.
His season was marked by consistent high-level performances, crucial goals, and assists, solidifying his reputation as one of the most promising young talents in European football.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had an outstanding 2023/24 season with Napoli, making 40 appearances and scoring 14 goals. He started the season strong, scoring 4 goals in the first 10 games, contributing significantly to Napoli's solid start with several wins. Napoli was drawn against Real Madrid, Celtic, and Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League group stages, and Kvaratskhelia played in all these games, helping his team advance to the knockout stages. By November, Napoli was leading Serie A, with Inter Milan being their nearest rivals. In December, Kvaratskhelia continued to shine, scoring crucial goals and providing key assists, maintaining his form and importance to the team.
He remained influential in the first games of the new year, delivering consistent performances. In February and March, Napoli reached the Champions League quarter-finals, with Kvaratskhelia playing pivotal roles in the knockout games. A standout game for him was against Juventus in March, where he scored a decisive goal in a 2-1 victory. Napoli reached the final of the Coppa Italia, showcasing their strength in domestic competitions. As the season concluded, Kvaratskhelia scored important goals, including a late winner against AC Milan in April, securing vital points for Napoli.
Napoli finished Serie A as champions and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. The team manager, Rudi Garcia, praised Kvaratskhelia's exceptional season, highlighting his creativity, consistency, and significant contributions to the team's successes.
Youth national sides
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's journey with the Georgian national team began at the youth level, where he represented his country with distinction. He progressed through the various age groups, showcasing his talent and potential from an early age. At the Under-17 level, Kvaratskhelia was a key member of the Georgian squad that participated in the 2015 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
Despite not progressing beyond the group stage, he caught the eye with his impressive displays on the wing. Kvaratskhelia's development continued as he transitioned to the Under-19 team, where he featured prominently in the 2017 UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers. His performances during this period further solidified his reputation as one of Georgia's brightest young prospects. The winger's rise through the youth ranks culminated with his inclusion in the Georgian Under-21 squad. Kvaratskhelia made his debut for the team in 2018 and quickly became a regular starter, captaining the side on multiple occasions.
His leadership qualities and ability to influence games from wide areas made him a crucial player for the Under-21 team.
National team
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's impressive performances at the youth level paved the way for his senior international debut with the Georgian national team in 2019. At just 18 years old, he made his first appearance for the senior side in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying match against Denmark, showcasing his readiness for the highest level of international football. Over the next few years, Kvaratskhelia established himself as a regular in the Georgian starting lineup, cementing his place on the left wing. His creativity, dribbling skills, and ability to provide dangerous crosses and goal-scoring opportunities made him a valuable asset for the national team. One of Kvaratskhelia's most memorable performances for Georgia came in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Sweden, where he scored a stunning long-range goal and provided an assist in a 2-0 victory. This match showcased his ability to influence big games and his importance to the team.
As Kvaratskhelia's reputation grew, he became a talismanic figure for the Georgian national team, often shouldering the creative burden and leading by example on the pitch. His performances in major tournaments, such as the UEFA Nations League, further cemented his status as one of the best players in Georgia's history. Despite Georgia's struggles to qualify for major international tournaments, Kvaratskhelia's individual brilliance and commitment to the national team have never wavered. His passion, work ethic, and desire to succeed on the international stage have endeared him to Georgian fans and earned him respect from opponents and pundits alike.
His style & roles
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is a dynamic and creative winger known for his electrifying pace, dribbling skills, and ability to create goalscoring opportunities. He primarily operates from the left wing, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot to unleash shots or deliver precise crosses into the box. One of Kvaratskhelia's biggest strengths is his close control and dribbling ability. He possesses an excellent first touch and a low center of gravity, which allows him to shift direction quickly and leave defenders in his wake.
His acceleration and speed make him a constant threat on the counter-attack, and he excels at exploiting space behind opposition defenses. Despite his diminutive stature, Kvaratskhelia is incredibly brave and tenacious, often willing to take on multiple defenders and beat them with his trickery and skill. His ability to win fouls in dangerous areas and draw opposition players out of position creates space for his teammates to exploit. Off the ball, Kvaratskhelia is an intelligent mover, making well-timed runs in behind and creating space for himself to receive the ball in dangerous areas. His vision and passing ability also make him a creative force, capable of unlocking defenses with incisive through balls or whipping in accurate crosses from wide areas.
Kvaratskhelia's style of play is both entertaining and effective, combining flair and trickery with end product and goal contributions. His ability to influence games from wide areas and his relentless work rate make him a valuable asset for both club and country.