Less than two months before the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony, Michel Platini shared his thoughts on a particularly open race. Invited on Sunday, August 30, to the Canal Football Club on Canal+, the three-time winner of the trophy mentioned several candidates but chose to place “a small bet” on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, one of the key contributors to the Paris Saint-Germain’s new European triumph. Kylian Mbappé remains highly regarded by him after an exceptional individual season.
Platini places “a small bet” on Kvaratskhelia
Winner of the Ballon d’Or three consecutive years, in 1983, 1984, and 1985, Michel Platini knows well the weight of individual performances and collective trophies in awarding the prize. For the former captain of Les Bleus, the era when Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo almost systematically dominated the vote has given way to a much more uncertain 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’s name: “I would place a small bet on the Paris Saint-Germain player, Kvara.” The choice is not incidental. Kvaratskhelia played a significant role in PSG’s European campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing 7 assists in the Champions League. He notably scored during the victory against Liverpool at Parc des Princes before continuing to influence the following rounds.
“I think he made PSG win the European Cup”
Michel Platini goes even further in his assessment of Kvaratskhelia’s influence. “I think he made Paris Saint-Germain win the European Cup. That’s why I place a small bet, I didn’t say he’s my favorite, but I place a small bet on him”, the former number 10 of Les Bleus specified. The Georgian was again decisive during the PSG qualification against Bayern Munich in the semi-final, before Paris retained its European title. However, one factor could work against him: Kvaratskhelia did not participate in the 2026 World Cup, as Georgia failed to qualify. Platini also refuses to present the Parisian as an undisputed favorite. “There are four or five players who deserve it”, he acknowledges.
Mbappé, “the most efficient” according to Platini
Among these candidates is obviously Kylian Mbappé. And on an individual level, Michel Platini does not downplay the season of the French team captain. “I think the most efficient one is Kylian”, states the three-time Ballon d’Or winner. Mbappé piled up goals again with Real Madrid and Les Bleus. During the 2026 World Cup, the Frenchman once again held a central role before France’s adventure ended. Platini describes his season as “formidable” but immediately points out the main argument that could cost him the Ballon d’Or: the absence of a major collective trophy: “Kylian had a formidable season, he was top scorer everywhere, unfortunately they will say he didn’t win anything. Then, there are others who won a lot but were not top scorers…” The dilemma summarized by Platini is the one that should accompany the entire race for the trophy: should one favor Mbappé’s exceptional individual efficiency or the weight of performances and titles won by some of his competitors?
Rodri, Lamine Yamal and Fabián Ruiz also mentioned
Michel Platini does not reduce the race to a duel between Kvaratskhelia and Mbappé. The former playmaker also cites Rodri, Lamine Yamal, and Fabián Ruiz: “The one who is very important for a team, we saw it, is Rodri, he had a very good World Cup. The most fabulously talented footballer is Lamine Yamal. The one who won everything is Fabián Ruiz… so that makes four.” Fabián Ruiz notably has a particularly strong collective argument. The Spanish midfielder was part of the Parisian eleven during 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 in PSG’s European campaign.
Kvaratskhelia ahead of Mbappé in Platini’s bet
Michel Platini therefore does not officially designate Kvaratskhelia as his absolute favorite. But when it comes to placing “a small bet”, it is indeed the PSG forward he turns to. A strong choice while Kylian Mbappé has considerable individual statistics and several world champions are also among the contenders. For Platini, the Georgian’s influence in winning the Champions League is enough to place him at the very 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 pulled ahead definitively. But Michel Platini has made his bet: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
