The connection between apples and extraordinary minds is a longstanding one. It is said that Isaac Newton uncovered the concept of gravity while observing apples fall from trees in an orchard. Similarly, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia recently addressed a long-standing issue using apples in his own orchard. The makeshift ground, once used for farming, is located in his family’s ancestral home in Tsalenjikha, Georgia. It features an iron gate with sharp spikes that resemble the tip of a spear on one side. His father, who was skilled enough to compete in Azerbaijan’s top league, had warned him about the dangers of the edges, which had ruined many footballs during his childhood. Observing the situation, Kvaratskhelia picked some apples and wedged them into the protruding spikes to solve the problem.
His father was impressed by his son’s creativity, recognizing that the solution had been overlooked by many generations before him. Years later, Kvaratskhelia’s ability to find simple answers to complex challenges continues to astonish fans, coaches, teammates, and opponents alike. He possesses a unique vision, charting paths on the field that others fail to perceive. His mastery allows him to navigate the game with remarkable finesse, as evidenced by his performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals, where he scored two stunning goals in the first leg.
The first goal, in particular, left a lasting impression on Bayern Munich. Kvaratskhelia glided down the left flank—never rushing—before cutting inside, effortlessly bypassing left-back Josip Stanišić, and curling a low shot into the bottom corner past two defenders and a third player left mesmerized by his artistry.
Kvaratskhelia’s style evokes a time when football was characterized by flair and freedom rather than the mechanical approach seen today. He embodies a nostalgic era of the game, complete with short shorts, lean legs, and relaxed sock lengths. His movements are graceful, lacking the brute force often associated with modern athletes, and his demeanor remains humble.
He leaves defenders with a sense of defeat, much like Aston Villa’s Axel Disasi experienced last year. With youthful energy, Disasi lunged at Kvaratskhelia, who simply rolled his foot over the ball and swayed his hips to evade the tackle. As Disasi stumbled backward, Kvaratskhelia was already beyond his reach, launching a powerful shot into the top corner of the net.
In moments like these, it is easy to understand why Napoli fans have dubbed him “Kvaradona,” drawing a parallel to the legendary Diego Maradona. Kvaratskhelia’s journey to Napoli was significantly influenced by his father, Badri, who revered the Argentine footballer. “Since I was a child, my father always spoke of Maradona as if he were a deity,” he recounted in the Players’ Tribune. “When my agent informed me that Napoli was interested, I was overjoyed. My father was ecstatic, insisting, ‘You cannot turn down Napoli! You cannot turn down Maradona’s club!’ We made our decision without hesitation.”
However, Kvaratskhelia’s primary inspiration remains his father. He often watches recorded footage of his father’s goals, a source of motivation for him. “When people discuss Messi or Ronaldo, I respond, ‘No, my father is better. I can show you the videos,’” he shared.
Unlike the scandalous tales that often surround football stars, Kvaratskhelia maintains a low profile. His dedication to the sport is evident from his early days at Dinamo Tbilisi’s academy, where he would sneak out of bed to train in the dead of night. The night guards, initially wary, soon became his allies and spectators. He recalls overhearing older players mocking his slender physique, which made him feel disheartened. Yet, he channeled that pain into determination, telling himself, “I must prove that I can play well.” This mindset became a powerful motivator for him.
Kvaratskhelia carried this resolute spirit with him to both Naples and Paris. His coach, Luis Enrique, describes him as a warrior, and his defensive teammates commend his contributions on that end of the pitch. In the first leg against Bayern Munich, he made three critical defensive plays and won half of his ground duels. He embodies a relentless drive to defend, as instructed by Enrique, while still being an integral part of the team’s collective identity. Despite his rising stardom, he remains humble, stating, “I see myself as a simple person. I strive to stay grounded, listen to my family, and never forget where I came from.”
Kvaratskhelia personifies the spirit of the Caucasus, where he hails from. His exceptional ball control and ability to dribble in tight spaces stem from the crowded streets of urban Tbilisi, where he grew up in a modest Soviet-era apartment complex. “Our ‘stadium’ was simply a hard concrete area surrounded by four buildings,” he recounted. Falling on that surface often resulted in injuries, teaching him to avoid falling even when faced with severe challenges. “You learn to evade even the slightest touch from a defender,” he noted. This resourcefulness resonates with his current brilliance, reminiscent of the day he conceived the idea of using apples to solve a problem.
