GELSENKIRCHEN — As our special envoy, Nicolás Baier, rightly states, to the most important tournament for European teams, in “some years, a question will be recurring in Georgia: “Where were you that Wednesday, June 26, 2024?” A day that will remain forever in the memory of the country…”
The one who will never forget this day is Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who two minutes into the match opened the victory for his National Team, beginning to generate concern in the team of his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. and completed the historic 2-0 victory on Portugalto reach the round of 16 in his first participation in a Euro Cup, the Napoli forward went for his personal trophy…
Georgia is a team that until not long ago was below the 150 best in the world, according to the FIFA ranking, and that only this year made its debut in the Euro Cup. And this Wednesday they worked the miracle. Can you understand the madness of the Georgians?
And Kvaradona, as he was nicknamed at Napoli in honour of Diego Armando Maradona (whom he and his father admire), was one of those who made it possible: “I have a Ronaldo shirt“he told reporters.”And we also made it to the next round. This is the best day in the life of Georgians. Everyone is very happy, we just made history. Nobody would believe that we would achieve it and beat Portugal. But I think that’s why we are a strong team.“said Kvaratskhelia.
Immediately, in the midst of the celebrations with the rest of his teammates, he shared on his social networks some photos with Ronaldo’s shirt and one word: “Dreams.” Later, he reposted a video where he appears with the Portuguese’s shirt on and with a smile from ear to ear.
And the forward has a particular story behind him: 11 years ago, he took a photo with Cristiano and participated in an academy that the Portuguese opened in Georgia.
In 2013, Cristiano decided to open a football academy in Georgia. And, curiously, Kvaratskhelia participated in it, who was present there, like many other kids, the day it premiered. He even took a photo next to the Portuguese at that moment, which now, of course, after Georgia’s victory, began to go viral everywhere…
It is worth noting that, as mentioned above, Cristiano is precisely Kvara’s idol, as revealed by the footballer himself.(Lionel) Messi is a player who seems to have come from another planet. (Cristiano) Ronaldo inspires me because he reached the same level as Messi thanks to work and sacrifice, and I would also like to follow his career“, said the Georgian striker in an interview with Il Mattino some time ago.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was named by UEFA as the best player of the match between Georgia and Portugal, which certified the passage to the round of 16 for his team, debutant in a European Championship.
Author of the first goal of the match and leader of his team, ‘Kvara’ vindicated his figure with a perfect match in which he led Georgia’s hard-fought victory to beat the great Portugal to sneak into the round of 16 against all odds, in the that will be measured against Spain.
