A few days before the highly anticipated Classic between Olympique de Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, Mehdi Benatia, OM’s sporting director, surprised by expressing his admiration for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the Georgian winger from Naples, often nicknamed « Kvaradona. » In a filmed sequence shared on Instagram, Benatia passionately praised the player’s technique and explosive ball control, highlighting his ability to surge forward and change pace with rare spontaneity.
Since joining Naples, Kvaratskhelia has become a key figure in Serie A, appreciated for his one-on-one dueling skills and his ability to create genuine attacking opportunities, energizing his team’s play in both the league and Champions League. Benatia noted that this type of player perfectly exemplifies the evolution of modern football, where speed and impact are decisive weapons to break through opposing lines.
Benatia’s enthusiasm was shared on social media, especially among PSG fans who noticed the Marseille sporting director’s passion while watching Kvaratskhelia’s goal during a Parisian win against Atalanta Bergamo (4-0). Although a natural reaction for a football lover, this admiration stirred some controversy, with certain OM supporters seeing it as a clumsy moment just days before such a heated Classic.
However, Benatia, drawing on his European experience, remains aware that the real contest will take place on the pitch and that his comments primarily reflect the beauty of the game. Beyond rivalries, his praise underscores how acceleration, a change of pace, or a dribble can transform the course of a match, placing Kvaratskhelia among the most exciting footballers in Europe today.
🔴🔵 Quand Mehdi Benatia, directeur sportif de l’OM, commente le but de Kvaradona 😅
— MEGA PSG 🇵🇸 (@MegaPSG_) September 18, 2025
(@PsgFanClubMaroc) pic.twitter.com/Eq61QDWI0g