With less than two months to go before the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, Michel Platini shared his thoughts on the wide-open race. A guest on Canal Football Club on Canal+ on Sunday, August 30th, the three-time winner of the trophy mentioned several candidates but chose to put "a small bet" on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of the key players in Paris Saint-Germain's latest European triumph . Kylian Mbappé, however, remains very highly regarded in Platini's estimation after an exceptional individual season.
Platini puts "a small bet" on Kvaratskhelia
Winner of the Ballon d'Or three years in a row, in 1983, 1984, and 1985, Michel Platini is well aware of the weight of individual performances and team trophies in the award's selection. For the former captain of the French national team, the era when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo almost systematically dominated the voting has given way to a much more unpredictable competition. "It's complicated because, for ten years, we had a Messi -Ronaldo-Ronaldo-Messi generation… Now, it's much more open, as we saw last year ," he explained. Platini then reviewed several contenders before mentioning the Georgian player: "I'd put a small bet on the Paris Saint-Germain player, Kvara." The choice is not insignificant. Kvaratskhelia played a significant role in PSG's European campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists in the Champions League. He notably scored in the victory against Liverpool at the Parc des Princes before continuing to be a key player in the subsequent rounds.
"I think he won the European Cup for PSG."
Michel Platini goes even further in his assessment of Kvaratskhelia's influence. "I think he won the European Cup for Paris Saint-Germain. That's why I'm putting a little money on him; I didn't say he was my favorite, but I'm putting a little money on him ," the former French number 10 explained. The Georgian was once again decisive in PSG's qualification against Bayern Munich in the semi-final, before Paris retained their European title. One factor could, however, work against him: Kvaratskhelia did not participate in the 2026 World Cup, as Georgia failed to qualify. Platini, moreover, refuses to present the Parisian as an undisputed favorite. "There are four or five players who deserve it ," he acknowledges.
Mbappé, "the most effective" according to Platini
Kylian Mbappé is obviously among these candidates. And on an individual level, Michel Platini is by no means downplaying the French captain's season. "I think the most effective player is Kylian ," says the three-time Ballon d'Or winner. Mbappé has once again racked up goals for Real Madrid and Les Bleus. During the 2026 World Cup, the Frenchman once again played a central role before France's run came to an end . Platini describes his season as "fantastic" but immediately points to the main argument that could cost him the Ballon d'Or: the absence of a major team trophy: "Kylian had a fantastic season, he was top scorer everywhere, unfortunately they'll say he didn't win anything." Then there are the others who have won many things but who have not been top scorers… » The dilemma summarized by Platini is the one that should accompany the whole race for the trophy: should we prioritize the exceptional individual efficiency of Mbappé or the weight of the performances and titles won by some of his competitors?
Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Fabián Ruiz were also mentioned.
Michel Platini doesn't reduce the race to a duel between Kvaratskhelia and Mbappé. The former playmaker also mentions Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Fabián Ruiz: "The one who is very important for a team, as we've seen, is Rodri; he had a very good World Cup. The most fabulously talented footballer is Lamine Yamal. The one who has won everything is Fabián Ruiz… so that makes four." Fabián Ruiz, in particular, has a particularly strong collective argument. The Spanish midfielder was part of the Parisian starting eleven in the Champions League final won by the capital club. Platini thus distinguishes several profiles: Mbappé's efficiency, Rodri's collective importance, Lamine Yamal's talent, Fabián Ruiz's trophies, and Kvaratskhelia's influence on PSG's European campaign.
Kvaratskhelia ahead of Mbappé in Platini's bet
Michel Platini hasn't officially named Kvaratskhelia as his absolute favorite. But when it comes to placing a bet , he clearly leans towards the PSG striker. It's a bold choice, especially considering Kylian Mbappé's impressive individual statistics and the presence of several World Cup winners among the contenders. For Platini, the Georgian's influence in PSG's Champions League victory is enough to place him at the top of the list. The 2026 Ballon d'Or will be awarded on October 26 in London. At this stage, no candidate seems to have established a clear lead. But Michel Platini has made his choice: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
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