Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has received major backing in the race for the 2026 Ballon d’Or. Toni Kroos has named the PSG forward as his favorite to win the prestigious individual award.
Real Madrid may not be too pleased! Kroos has gone against his former club by making his choice clear on Instagram. For the former midfielder, PSG’s number 7 simply deserves to finish ahead of all his rivals.
Toni Kroos puts Kvaratskhelia ahead of Messi and Mbappé
“Kvara. For me, he is clearly number one,” Kroos said. The German notably based his choice on the Georgian’s performances at club level, while several other contenders made their biggest impact during the World Cup. Kroos mentioned Rodri, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé, arguing that those four either had less convincing club seasons or played in leagues he considers less competitive. His main argument is Kvaratskhelia’s consistency at the highest level with PSG, including his major role in Paris’ victorious Champions League campaign.
Kroos went even further with his praise: “Kvara, last season and right now, is the best player at the best club in the world.” It is a strong statement in what appears to be a wide-open 2026 Ballon d’Or race. Kvaratskhelia does have one major disadvantage compared with several of his rivals: he did not play at the World Cup with Georgia.
Kroos himself had highlighted that issue a few months earlier. In May, when his brother Felix was already backing Kvaratskhelia, the former Real Madrid star believed the Georgian’s absence from the World Cup could seriously hurt his chances in the voting. Kvara’s performances since then have clearly changed his mind: for Kroos, the 2026 Ballon d’Or should now go to the PSG star.
