'It's not about me' - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia 'staying humble' despite Ballon d'Or suggestions during electric Champions League campaign

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Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has insisted ”it’s not about me” after being put among the Ballon d’Or favourites thanks to his impressive displays in the UEFA Champions League.

Kvaratskhelia on Ballon d’Or credentials: ‘Life has changed but I want to stay humble’

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Paris Saint-Germain are one win away from a second successive European title, with only Arsenal left in their way, in Budapest on May 30, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Kvaratskhelia has played a pivotal role in the French side reaching another final, with crucial contributions in their play-off win over Monaco, and knockout-stage victories over Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

The Georgian winger’s assist to Ousmane Dembele in the semi-final second leg at Bayern saw him become the first player to score or assist in seven successive Champions League knockout-stage appearances in a single campaign.

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Meanwhile, his 16 goal contributions in the competition this season is only matched by Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe.

Kvaratskhelia’s performances have attracted widespread praise, while he is now among the favourites for this season’s Ballon d’Or despite Georgia’s absence from this summer’s FIFA World Cup.

However, the 25-year-old insists he is not concerned about individual accolades and is determined to ”stay humble” in the face of all the adulation coming his way.

Kvaratskhelia is the best winger in the world - Gerrard

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Asked by TNT Sports' Julien Laurens about the praise he is receiving, Kvaratskhelia said: ”I feel a little bit, but it's not about me, I want to be simple, I just play because I love it.

”When I go to the pitch, I try to enjoy it with amazing team-mates, amazing club, amazing coach, with his staff, I just try to enjoy it every time I train, I try to play.

”Maybe life has changed a little bit in this time, but I want to stay the same, humble, and I'm just doing the job I love, I'm just trying to enjoy.”

Kvaratskhelia has not delivered on the same scale domestically, with eight goals and four assists in Ligue 1 this season.

But with PSG winning a fifth title on the spin after finishing six points ahead of Lens in second, Luis Enrique has not necessarily needed the winger to be at the top of his game.

Kvaratskhelia has certainly stepped up in the Champions League, though, particularly in the semi-final against Bayern, and it is evidently Europe’s elite competition that lights the fire inside him.

”For every football player, the Champions League nights are the dream to play in,” he told TNT Sports. ”I'm one of them; it was a dream to play in the Champions League.

'What a player!' - Kvaratskhelia dazzles with 'wonderful' goal against Bayern

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”I’m in the final for the second time, so a little bit I [have] achieved it. But I still have hungriness that I want to go on the field. Every time the Champions League anthem starts to sing, I’m just turning on.

”It's something different than everything, that's why they call it the Champions League.”

Taking on an Arsenal side who conceded the fewest number of goals in the league phase and who have shipped just two goals in six knockout games may present Kvaratskhelia with his toughest test yet.

How to watch UEFA Champions League final on TNT Sports

Completing a packed month of European club finals, the UEFA Champions League final sees Arsenal take on Paris Saint-Germain, exclusively live on TNT Sports & HBO Max from Budapest on Saturday, May 30.

TNT Sports' coverage will kick off with a 'Champions League Final – Super Weekend' show presented by Reshmin Chowdhury live from 10:30 UK time, with guests from across the sporting and entertainment world.

Live coverage of the game will begin from 15:00, kick off at 17:00, and Laura Woods will be joined by Steven Gerrard, Owen Hargreaves and Martin Keown.

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