Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been named the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League Player of the Season.
The Paris Saint‑Germain winger received the award from UEFA’s Technical Observer Group on Sunday after guiding the French club to a second consecutive European title.
Kvaratskhelia played 16 matches, totalling 1,141 minutes. He scored 10 goals and provided six assists. He covered 124.17 kilometres and recorded a top speed of 33.7 kilometres per hour.
The Georgian was a constant menace on the left flank throughout the season. He scored three goals across the two legs against Chelsea in the last 16. He netted another at Anfield against Liverpool in the quarter‑finals.
His finest performance arrived in the unforgettable 5‑4 semi‑final first‑leg win over Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes. He curled in a beauty to draw his side level at 1‑1 before adding a fierce drive in the second period to complete a fine double.
In the final against Arsenal, the 25‑year‑old won the decisive penalty. Cristhian Mosquera pulled him down inside the box, and Ousmane Dembélé converted the spot‑kick to haul PSG level at 1‑1. The French champions eventually won 4‑3 on penalties after the game ended 1‑1 following extra time.
Kvaratskhelia also scored in the 2025 final as PSG thumped Inter Milan 5‑0, marking his second consecutive Champions League title with the club.
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He succeeds his teammate Ousmane Dembélé, who won the award in 2024/25. Previous winners include Vinícius Júnior (2023/24), Rodri (2022/23) and Karim Benzema (2021/22).
The UEFA Technical Observer Board, consisting of around 30 football dignitaries including Gareth Southgate, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rafa Benitez, voted for the award.
Kvaratskhelia was also named in the Champions League Team of the Season alongside four teammates: Ousmane Dembélé, Marquinhos, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha, who was named Player of the Match in the final.
Speaking after the final whistle in Budapest, the Georgian international thanked the PSG community. “It’s an incredible feeling,” he said. “Thank you to our fans, the club, the coach, and my teammates. We are incredibly proud of this night.” Looking ahead, he added: “Next season, we will try to win this trophy again.”
The award confirms Kvaratskhelia’s status as a serious contender for the Ballon d’Or, though his chances may be hindered by Georgia’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
