Toni Kroos Does Not See Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a Ballon d’Or Winner

The season of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been nothing short of spectacular. The Georgian footballer has become one of the standout figures in European football thanks to his impact in both the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1. However, despite his outstanding performances, Toni Kroos believes it will not be enough to win the Ballon d’Or.

Dominance in the Champions League and Ligue 1

In the UEFA Champions League, the winger set a historic record by scoring and assisting in seven consecutive matches, showcasing his total influence on his team’s attacking play. In Ligue 1, he has also registered seven goals and four assists, reflecting the consistency he has maintained throughout the season.

Still, for Kroos, there is a decisive factor that could ultimately prevent him from winning football’s most prestigious individual award: not participating in the FIFA World Cup.

During the podcast Einfach mal Luppen, the former German midfielder acknowledged the incredible level of the player, nicknamed by many as “Kvaradona,” but made it clear that the absence of Georgia from the World Cup could heavily affect his chances in the final voting.

“What he does with and without the ball, his stamina, his decisions… it’s incredible how he lifts his head and places the ball exactly where it needs to go at full speed,” explained Kroos, who also praised the Georgian’s intelligence and football maturity.

Ballon d’Or Competition Intensifies

The race for the Ballon d’Or this year looks particularly competitive. Other names in the conversation include Harry Kane, who, despite not reaching the UEFA Champions League final, has produced outstanding numbers and will arrive as the undisputed leader of England at the FIFA World Cup.

A similar case applies to Michael Olise, who is enjoying the best season of his career and will be one of France’s key attacking weapons at the World Cup. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé, despite not winning major trophies with Real Madrid, continues to post impressive numbers and is expected to finish as one of the top scorers in both the UEFA Champions League and LaLiga.

In a World Cup year, the international tournament often plays a decisive role in the final outcome. That is why, although Kvaratskhelia has shown enough merit to compete with the best players in the world, his absence on football’s biggest stage could ultimately become the detail that keeps him away from the Ballon d’Or.