REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
Toni Kroos doesn't think Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi should win the Ballon d'Or this year because of their 'average' seasons at the club level.
Mbappe and Messi were at the top of their game at this summer's World Cup, going toe-to-toe in the Golden Boot race. They starred for their nations, with France losing to eventual winners Spain in the semi-finals, who also defeated Argentina in the final.
The attacking duo earned plaudits throughout the tournament in which Mbappe pipped Messi at the top of the goalscoring ranks. The Real Madrid forward bagged 10 goals while the Inter Miami star finished with eight.
Kroos on Ballon d'Or: Surprise Name Beats Mbappe and Messi
Left: REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian Right: REUTERS/Lee Smith
Mbappe failed to get his hands on the World Cup for the second time in his career after Madrid's disappointing season. The 27-year-old's club finished the campaign trophyless for just the sixth time in the 21st century.
Messi also missed out on glory as his nation lost its crown in bitter fashion, and speculation is growing over his future in the sport. The 39-year-old did get his hands on silverware with Inter Miami, captaining the Herons to the MLS Cup back in December.
While the pair are considered contenders in the race for the Ballon d'Or, Kroos has ruled both of them out along with England's World Cup hero Jude Bellingham and Barcelona's new boy Rodri. He believes the award should go to a Champions League winner:
"The Ballon d’Or should go to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. He probably won’t win but he’s the number one without hesitation. The best World Cup players: Messi, Jude (Bellingham), Mbappe, Rodri had average club seasons. Kvara was the best player from currently the best club in the world."
kvaratskhelia psg
Kroos' comments are bound to set tongues wagging, given Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wasn't even at the World Cup after Georgia failed to qualify. He stayed at home while his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Fabian Ruiz became a world champion.
Kvaratskhelia's absence during the tournament will harm his chances of winning the Ballon d'Or. He wasn't able to showcase his world-class ability on the biggest stage in football.
||
|Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in 2025-26|
|Competition|Apps (Starts)|Goals|Assists|
|---|
|Ligue 1|28 (18)|8|4|
|UEFA Champions League|16 (14)|10|6|
|Coupe de France / Domestic Cups|4 (3)|0|1|
|Total (All Competitions)|48 (35)|18|11|
That said, Kvaratskhelia enjoyed yet another stellar season at the Parc des Princes, helping Enrique's side win the continental treble. The 25-year-old winger flourished and proved his worth as one of, if not the best, left-wingers in world football.
Kroos Not The Only One Backing Kvaratskhelia
Lionel Messi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
Lionel Messi and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia
The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony takes place in London this year and we will find out who is deemed the best player in the world on October 26th. If history repeats itself, it will be either a World Cup winner or a Champions League winner who earns football's most prestigious individual award.
Kvaratskhelia certainly has support and Unai Emery, like Kroos, reckons he deserves to finish at the top of the podium. The Aston Villa boss said ahead of his side's UEFA Super Cup defeat to PSG:
"Kvaratskhelia is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in my opinion. He is fantastic... Of course, his impact was fantastic two years ago at Napoli and now at PSG. He was one of the best players who was not at the World Cup, and he is fit. The decision isn’t mine, but I think he can win this trophy."
AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf echoed Emery's stance on the Georgian with a massive endorsement:
"Kvaratskhelia is the best player in the world and he's only going to get better. ... He carries the team in certain moments so I like his intelligence. He's unbelievable."
Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique talking during a press conference
Paris St Germain coach Luis Enrique talking during a press conference
As for Kvaratskhelia's own manager, Enrique has given his own verdict and believes another PSG star should be crowned the Ballon d'Or winner. It's proving to be one of the toughest races to call in years, given the lack of Parisian representation in Spain's World Cup-winning team.