Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (foto: Getty Images)
French newspaper L'Equipe has backed PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as the leading candidate for the 2026 Ballon d'Or after an outstanding club season.
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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia did not play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup because Georgia failed to qualify, but that has not stopped one of France's most influential sports newspapers from naming him the leading contender for the Ballon d'Or.
L'Equipe has placed the Paris Saint-Germain winger at the top of its Ballon d'Or rankings, arguing that his outstanding performances during the club season outweigh his absence from football's biggest international tournament.
The French publication has gone a step further by featuring Kvaratskhelia on its front page as the player to beat in this year's race for football's most prestigious individual award.
The Georgian international played a key role in PSG's successful campaign, helping the French giants secure the UEFA Champions League title and establishing himself as one of Europe's most decisive attacking players.
While many observers believed missing the World Cup would end his chances, the tournament has not produced a clear standout favorite. According to L'Equipe, that leaves the door wide open for Kvaratskhelia to claim the award.
Harry Kane is viewed as his strongest challenger after another prolific season with Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe impressed on the international stage but failed to match those performances consistently at club level.
Lamine Yamal, another player widely tipped for Ballon d'Or success, also lost momentum after spending a significant period sidelined through injury.
With the voting period approaching, Kvaratskhelia has emerged as one of the strongest candidates of his career. If his club achievements continue to carry significant weight with voters, the Georgian winger could become one of the most unexpected Ballon d'Or winners of the modern era.