It was heralded as the World Cup in which all the stars shone, but the return of the club game with the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg offers Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, 25, a chance to reclaim his spotlight after missing the tournament.

The Paris Saint‑PSG forward was named Champions League player of the season after helping his side defend their crown in May, and he returns in August eyeing a three‑peat to remind everyone that perhaps the best player in Europe was absent from the World Cup.

His impact was instant; after arriving from Napoli in January of last year, he turned PSG into a pressing machine, a transformation that set new standards for the forward line and helped the team overcome tough tests such as the 2025 quarter‑final against Aston Villa.

Before his PSG move he inspired Napoli to the title, earning the nickname ‘Kvaradona’, and his unique street‑style background, praised by former coach Leonid Slutsky and teammate Xisco Munoz, makes him a genuine outlier. His first opportunity to refresh in years came after Georgia missed the World Cup, and while that may boost his form, it could also challenge his Ballon d’Or hopes.