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Real Madrid transfer target Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has revealed that he expects Lionel Messi to win the 2023 Ballon d'Or. The Napoli winger revealed to Diario AS that winning the award is his dream, but he believes Messi will win it this year.
Georgia international Kvaratskhelia was speaking to Spanish media ahead of his side's UEFA Champions League round 2 group stage match against Real Madrid. The 22-year-old may see it as a chance to prove the extent of his abilities in front of Los Blancos hierarchy.
Kvaratskhelia enjoyed a great debut season with Napoli, helping the side win its first league crown since 1990. The winger was named Serie A's MVP as he scored 12 goals and assisted 13, earning a place in the 30-man Ballon d'Or shortlist.
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The Georgian forward revealed in an interview that he believes Lionel Messi will win a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or award:
“Winning Ballon d’Or is my dream, as it is for everyone. Who do I think will win it this year? Lionel Messi.”
Kvaratskhelia has had a slow start to the 2023-24 season for club and country. The forward has one goal and three assists for the Partenopei in six league matches and has scored just once since March.
Fans on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) have given their opinions after hearing Kvaratskhelia's statement. A fan referred to him as a Cristiano Ronaldo fan who chose Messi for the Ballon d'Or, making fun of the Portuguese superstar's fans.
Another group of fans hailed the youngster's knowledge of football after his statement.
Kvaratskhelia dreams of winning the Ballon d'Or one day, and a move to Real Madrid will certainly help him move closer to actualizing his dream.
Lionel Messi favorite to make history with Ballon d'Or win
Lionel Messi has won the Ballon d'Or seven times, but he enjoyed the best year of his career in the last year. The 36-year-old won the elusive FIFA World Cup in December 2022 in Qatar, starring throughout the tournament.
Messi also won the Golden Ball in Qatar, scoring seven goals and having three assists to his name. The Argentine also won Ligue 1 in the 2022-23 season with his former club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), scoring 16 goals as well as assisting 16 times.
To win an eighth Ballon d'Or, Messi will have to compete with Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and 26 other players.
