Khvicha Kvaratskhelia Shines as PSG Advances in Club World Cup
SEATTLE — With one goal and two assists to his name, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is emerging as one of the standout performers at the FIFA Club World Cup. On Monday, the Georgian winger opened the scoring in Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders, helping the French champions secure their place in the Round of 16 in front of a packed crowd of 50,268 at Lumen Field.
Kvaratskhelia’s goal in the 13th minute came from a deflected long-range strike that deceived Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei, giving PSG an early advantage. Achraf Hakimi sealed the win in the 66th minute, rendering the result of the concurrent match between Atlético Madrid and Botafogo irrelevant to PSG’s qualification.
“We Are the Champions League Winners – That Comes With Responsibility”
In the lead-up to the match, Kvaratskhelia brushed off concerns about an early PSG exit. “We did not think about it,” he told Transfermarkt. Head coach Luis Enrique echoed the sentiment, warning that every game from this point forward must be treated as a final: “In a short competition, one bad game and you’re out. That’s the reality.”
Speaking about the Sounders, Kvaratskhelia showed respect for the opposition. “We knew they could play well. We just had to focus on our style,” he said, adding, “Every team here can win. But as the reigning Champions League winners, we must live up to the expectations.”
A Meteoric Rise at PSG
The last six months have been transformative for Kvaratskhelia. Signed from Napoli in January for €70 million, he’s made an instant impact with 8 goals and 8 assists in 28 matches. “It happened so fast,” he admitted. “I’m still trying to process everything, but I’m thrilled to be at a club like PSG.”
His performances have already boosted his market value from €80m to €90m, a career high for the 24-year-old.
Kvaratskhelia Embraces Enrique’s Demands
One of the key aspects of Kvaratskhelia’s development under Luis Enrique has been his willingness to evolve into a more complete player. “I’m not just here to attack,” he said. “I was told from day one that defending is just as important. Everyone contributes.”
This work ethic stands in contrast to former teammate Kylian Mbappé, who struggled to adapt to Enrique’s high-pressing, all-hands-on-deck system before his departure to Real Madrid. Enrique praised Kvaratskhelia’s commitment, saying, “I want my players to grow individually. If they do, we grow as a team.”
More to Come?
With PSG advancing in the Club World Cup and Kvaratskhelia growing into a pivotal figure, the Georgian is now both a symbol of the club’s ambition and a testament to Enrique’s philosophy.
“I’m happy to help this team however I can,” Kvaratskhelia said, after his latest standout performance. And if this tournament is any indication, PSG’s post-Mbappé era is off to a promising start—led by a new star from Georgia.
