Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has earned a coveted nomination for the “Golden Ball 2022/23,” as announced by “France Football.” This distinction places the Georgian national team’s dynamic striker, who currently plays for “Napoli,” in the exclusive list of nominees for the prestigious title of the year’s best player.

The pinnacle of individual football recognition, the “Golden Ball” award ceremony, is scheduled to take place in Paris on October 30. Kvaratskhelia’s name shares the spotlight with some of today’s most prominent football stars, including Lionel Messi, Erling Holland, and Kylian Mbappe.

The complete list of nominees comprises:

• Yoshko Guardioli (Leipzig / Manchester City)
• Andre Onana (Inter / Manchester United)
• Karim Benzema (Real / Al-Ittihad)
• Jamal Musiala (Bayern)
• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Jude Bellingham (Dortmund / Real Madrid)
• Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
• Randall Kolo Mouan (PSG)
• Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City)
• Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
• Khvicha Kvaratskelia (Napoli)
• Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
• Ruben Diaz (Manchester City)
• Nicolo Barella (Inter)
• Erling Holland (Manchester City)
• Martin Edgar (Arsenal)
• Ilkay Gundogan (Manchester City / Barcelona)
• Julian Alvarez (Manchester City)
• Yasin Bunu (Seville / Al-Hilal)
• Vinicius Junior (Real)
• Rhodri (Manchester City)
• Antoine Griezmann (Atletico)
• Lionel Messi (PSG / Inter Miami)
• Lautaro Martinez (Inter)
• Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)
• Kylian Mbappé (PSG)
• Kim Min-jae (Napoli / Bayern)
• Luka Modric (Real)
• Harry Kane (Tottenham / Bayern)
• Victor Osimen (Napoli)

The “Golden Ball” award, established by the esteemed French football magazine “France Football,” is an annual recognition bestowed upon Europe’s most outstanding player, earning it the moniker “European Footballer of the Year Award.” Over time, the number of players featured in the final list has varied, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia becoming the seventh Georgian player to attain this esteemed nomination.