By Martin Graham
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has become one of Europe’s most exciting attack creators, but away from the pitch, the Paris St-Germain the extreme maintains a modest lifestyle. Despite his growing reputation, the Georgia international says he still sees himself as a normal person who stays connected to his family and background.
The 25-year-old has been one of PSG’s standout players in the Champions League this season. In nine games he has contributed seven goals in total, scoring four and providing three assists, making him the club’s top scorer and the player with the most goals in the competition.
His journey began in Tbilisi, in a typical Soviet-era apartment building that blends into the surrounding neighborhood. The building is simple and run down, like many others in the district, and gives little indication that an international football star grew up there.
Inside, however, the family home reflects the history of his career. Photographs, trophies and shirts fill the space, including the first shirt he wore for Dinamo Tbilisi. For his mother, Maka, this jersey represents the starting point of his journey to the highest level of the sport.
Kvaratskhelia was born on February 12, 2001 and football quickly became the center of his life. His mother remembers that he spent almost every moment with a ball, whether he was walking or sleeping, showing from an early age how important the game was to him.
His father, Badri, a former Dinamo Tbilisi player who also represented Azerbaijan internationally, saw his son take the first steps in his professional career with Dinamo’s academy. Kvaratskhelia made his senior debut aged just 16 in 2017.
After this initial breakthrough, he moved to Rustavi and later joined Lokomotiv Moscow on loan. This move provided his first significant income as a professional footballer, money he used to fund life-saving heart surgery for his father.
In May 2019, he celebrated his first major trophy when Lokomotiv Moscow lifted the Russian Cup. Soon after, he joined Rubin Kazan, where he spent three seasons and twice received the award for the best young player in the Russian league.
Professional advancement and move to PSG
Kvaratskhelia’s stay in Russia ended after the invasion of Ukraine, when FIFA allowed foreign players to suspend their contracts and temporarily sign with clubs outside the country. He returned to Georgia and joined Dinamo Batumi.
The stay was short. In July 2022, Napoli signed him for £9.5 million. His performances in Italy quickly made him a fan favourite, playing a key role in Napoli’s first Serie A title in 33 years and earning him the nickname ‘Kvaradona’.
His rise continued in January 2025 when he moved to Paris St-Germain for £59 million plus add-ons, becoming the first Georgian player in the club’s history. During his time with the French side, he helped the team complete a treble, including PSG’s first ever Champions League triumph, scoring in the final.
On the field he is known as a direct and inventive dribbler. His skill was developed through training in tight spaces as a youngster and is supported by targeted strength work, reaction drills and repeated finishing practice, especially when cutting inside from the left side.
Inspiration, family life and Georgian pride
Like many players of his generation, Kvaratskhelia grew up admiring Cristiano Ronaldo. He also studies stars of the past such as Ronaldinho, looking at old footage and trying to reproduce their movements during training sessions.
Coaches have also influenced his development. He credits former Napoli manager Antonio Conte with helping him improve defensively, something he continues to work on under PSG manager Luis Enrique.
Away from football, he follows the NBA closely and names Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant among the athletes he admires. He says they enjoy high-pressure matches because they give players a chance to show their character.
Despite his growing fame, he maintains a private personal life. He began dating Georgian medical student Nitsa Tavadze in 2021, and the couple held a traditional wedding ceremony at Samtavro Monastery in Mtskheta in October 2023. Their son, Damiane, was born in Tbilisi on August 21, 2024.
Friends describe him as generous and grounded, someone who remains deeply connected to his homeland. Kvaratskhelia says that representing Georgia means a lot to him, and he hopes that his success will show the country’s youth that it is possible to reach the highest level of football.
