Georgian Star Kvaratskhelia Rose From Soviet Apartment to PSG

A weathered concrete apartment block in Tbilisi, Georgia doesn't look like the birthplace of a football superstar, but it's where Khvicha Kvaratskhelia still sleeps in his childhood bedroom when he visits home. The 25-year-old Paris Saint-Germain winger has become one of Europe's most electrifying talents, leading PSG in Champions League scoring with seven goal contributions this season.

Kvaratskhelia's parents, Badri and Maka, raised him in that modest apartment where his small bedroom doubled as his sanctuary. Today, the room still holds his computer, gaming headphones, and the first professional jersey he ever wore for Dinamo Tbilisi, carefully preserved by his mother.

"I consider myself a simple person," Kvaratskhelia told BBC Sport. "I try to stay grounded, listen to my family, and always remember who I am and where I come from."

His father Badri, a former professional footballer himself, watched his son carry a ball everywhere from the moment he could walk. At 16, young Khvicha made his professional debut, eventually earning his first significant salary playing for Lokomotiv Moscow.

That paycheck meant more than personal success. Kvaratskhelia used the money to pay for life-saving heart surgery for his father, a decision Badri describes with simple pride: "It wasn't even a question to him."

Why This Inspires

Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 forced Kvaratskhelia to leave his club and return home. Instead of letting the disruption derail his career, he signed with Napoli for just £9.5 million and helped them win their first Serie A title in 33 years, earning the nickname "Kvaradona" from adoring fans.

His explosive playing style comes from years of training in tight spaces as a child, combined with obsessive video analysis and specific drills he still practices today. He credits former coach Antonio Conte for teaching him defensive responsibility, and he studies old footage of heroes like Ronaldinho to add new moves to his game.

In January 2025, PSG paid £59 million to bring him to Paris, making him the first Georgian to wear the club's colors. Months later, he scored in the Champions League final as PSG captured their first European title and completed a historic treble.

The NBA fan and Cristiano Ronaldo admirer now faces his next challenge when Chelsea visits Paris on Wednesday. But no matter how bright the spotlight gets, that small bedroom in Tbilisi reminds him of what matters most: family, humility, and the pure love of the game.

His mother still keeps that first Dinamo Tbilisi jersey hanging in the apartment, a symbol of how far dedication can take you when you never forget where you started.