PSG star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia honoured by 'GOAT' comparisons to Diego Maradona at Napoli - ‘They called me Kvaradona’

React to this story

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was delighted to be compared to the legendary Diego Maradona by Napoli supporters, who called him 'Kvaradona'.

Kvaratskhelia delighted to be compared to 'the GOAT of football' Maradona

Video credit: SNTV

The Georgian superstar won two Serie A titles while plying his trade in Naples, and although he left in January of the second title-winning campaign, he is regarded as a cult hero in southern Italy.

Kvaratskhelia scored 12 goals in the title-winning season of 2022/23, Napoli’s first Serie A triumph since the 1989/90 season, when Maradona inspired them to overcome AC Milan.

His supreme dribbling and eye for a goal resulted in Napoli fans giving Kvaratskhelia the highest praise a player could get at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – comparisons to their ultimate hero.

Transfers

Salah 'agreement' reached, Barca stick to Alvarez plan - Euro Transfer News

Yesterday at 22:43

The 25-year-old admitted that he was honoured to be compared to the Argentinian icon, but that he believes Maradona is utterly unique.

He said: ”Of course, when I was moving in Napoli in the streets, they called me ‘Kvaradona’ always and it is, of course, a pleasure when you are compared with the GOAT [greatest of all time] of football.

”We know how good Maradona was in Napoli, he is like God, every family has his picture in the house.

”Of course, it is a pleasure, but you cannot compare any player with Maradona, he was one of the best in history.

‘What the great ones can do’ – Sensational Kvaratskhelia goal doubles PSG’s lead

Video credit: TNT Sports

”Of course, I am proud, but it was a little bit hard also when they call you ‘Kvaradona’ and every game that you go on the pitch you have to show them that you are really ‘Kvaradona’. So it was difficult but I am happy.”

Kvaratskhelia departed his beloved Naples in January of last season to join Paris Saint-Germain.

It is fair to say he made an immediate impact in the French capital, scoring three goals and assisting two more in the knockout stages as they went all the way to their first UEFA Champions League title.

He scored as PSG breezed past Inter with the biggest ever winning margin in a Champions League final, winning 5-0.

And this season, he has been Mr Consistent as they look to defend their crown, with eight goals and five assists in 13 Champions League matches, including five goals and two assists in the knockout phase alone.

Now PSG face their biggest test yet, a Bayern Munich side who have not lost since a shock 2-1 defeat to Augsburg in January - and who, as they showed against Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, have one of the most free-scoring attacks in the world.

Highlights: Chelsea capitulate in bruising defeat to ruthless PSG

Video credit: TNT Sports

PSG were defeated 2-1 by Bayern in the league phase, a game Kvaratskhelia remembers well.

While he admits they were the better team on the day, this time around he is confident that this is a clash between the two best teams in the world.

He added: ”I remember that game very well. I think it was the start of the season, when we were not as good as they were and we had many important players injured.

”Even in that game, I think in the second half, we showed that we were capable of everything and that we could beat them. But there were many chances that we could not score.

”Right now, I think we have the two best teams playing against each other. Now, I think that the game will be more important for each team, and yeah, I mean, now the two best teams will play against each other, I think.”

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max

UEFA Super Cup