PSG's 'blockbuster' signing surpasses both Messi and Ronaldo.

PSG not only defeated Inter Miami 4-0, but this match was also where Khvicha Kvaratskhelia proved to the world that his time had come.

Messi and his teammates were thrashed by PSG. In the early hours of June 30th, PSG overwhelmed Inter Miami 4-0 in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™.

Exactly one year has passed since Georgia caused a shock by defeating Portugal 2-0 in the Euro 2024 group stage. In that match, Kvaratskhelia scored the opening goal, drawing worldwide attention by beating her idol Cristiano Ronaldo. Twelve months later, also in late June, Kvaratskhelia continued her winning streak with PSG, easily defeating Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.

By the time of Kvaratskhelia

In the world of football, where Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated for over a decade, the emergence of young talents like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is proof of a new generation rising strongly.

At the age of 24, the Georgian player, nicknamed "Kvaradona," not only became an icon of Paris Saint-Germain and the Georgian national team, but also made history by surpassing both Messi and Ronaldo at club and national team levels within just 12 months.

It wasn't Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr., or Neymar, but Kvaratskhelia who, as a "Gen Z" player, defeated these two superstars in one-on-one encounters over the past year. With his explosive performances at Euro 2024, UEFA Champions League 2024/25, and now the FIFA Club World Cup 2025™, Kvaratskhelia's victories against teams of these two legends rightfully place him on the list of new icons of world football.

One of the most memorable moments in Kvaratskhelia's career was the match against Portugal at Euro 2024, which took place on June 26, 2024, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Georgia, ranked 74th in the world, faced Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, ranked 6th in FIFA.

Before the match, Kvaratskhelia openly expressed his admiration for Ronaldo, whom he had met in 2013 at the opening ceremony of the Dinamo Tbilisi academy when he was a 12-year-old boy. “I’ll ask for Ronaldo’s shirt after the match. He’s my idol,” Kvaratskhelia wrote in The Players’ Tribune .

However, on the pitch, Kvaratskhelia showed no fear of his idol. He opened the scoring in the 2nd minute with a precise finish, contributing to Georgia's historic 2-0 victory over Portugal.

This match not only helped Georgia reach the knockout stage of a major tournament for the first time, but also overshadowed Ronaldo, who was substituted in the 65th minute without scoring or assisting. After the match, Kvaratskhelia received a jersey from Ronaldo and was honored by UEFA as Man of the Match. "This is the greatest day in the history of Georgian football," he shared.

At the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, Kvaratskhelia continued to demonstrate her class when facing Lionel Messi, who was playing for Inter Miami. In the round of 16 match in the US, Kvaratskhelia's PSG crushed Inter Miami 4-0, ending Messi's journey in the tournament.

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is making a strong impression with PSG.

Kvaratskhelia didn't score but played outstandingly, creating three dangerous chances with her skillful dribbling. This match was especially meaningful for Kvaratskhelia, who expressed her excitement immediately after the game: "It was a great joy to play on the same pitch as Messi!"

Reaching new heights

In the coming months, his teammate Ousmane Dembélé could win the 2025 Ballon d'Or. Other names in the PSG squad such as Vitinha and Désiré Doué will also be honored. However, Kvaratskhelia will deserve a prominent place in every individual award race at the end of the year.

Despite only joining PSG in January 2025, Kvaratskhelia was a key player in their UEFA Champions League winning campaign in 2024/25. He scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in the knockout rounds, including a goal in the 5-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final.

This impressive performance made him the first Georgian player to score in a Champions League final, contributing to PSG's first-ever title in this prestigious competition. Kvaratskhelia's rise to prominence lies not only in his victories against Messi and Ronaldo, but also in his ability to combine technique, speed, and tactical thinking.

At 24, he possesses the qualities that both Messi and Ronaldo once earned the world's admiration: dribbling ability, creativity, and fighting spirit. With Messi (38 years old) and Ronaldo (40 years old) nearing the end of their careers, Kvaratskhelia represents a new generation, ready to inherit the throne.

Compared to other young talents like Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappé, Kvaratskhelia stands out with her versatility and creativity, likened to a combination of Messi's technique and Ronaldo's fighting spirit.

From the boy who once took a photo with Ronaldo in Tbilisi to the hero who led Georgia to the knockout stage of Euro 2024 and helped PSG win the Champions League, Kvaratskhelia is now on a different level.

With victories against two legends at both club and national team levels, "Kvaradona" is writing his own story, becoming a new icon of world football.

Source: https://znews.vn/bom-tan-cua-psg-ha-messi-lan-ronaldo-post1564922.html