For the first time in the history of independent Georgia - a Georgian football player is among the 30 Ballon d’Or award nominees. In particular, the Georgian national team and Napoli player Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is among the top 30 contenders nominated for the Men’s Ballon d’Or award, presented annually by France Football to the best player of the year.

The nomination follows his debut season for Napoli that helped the Italian club in their winning run in Serie A.

Kvaratskhelia also became the Most Valuable Player of the series and received 3 Player of the Month awards by EA Sports, a division of Electronic Arts that develops and publishes sports video games and partners the Serie A, setting a new all-time record in the history of the Italian championship.

The awards ceremony for Ballon d’Or will be hosted on October 30 in Paris.