Former UEFA president Michel Platini says he has placed a bet on Paris Saint-Germain forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or. He argues that Kvaratskhelia’s performances and achievements make him a leading candidate, pointing in particular to his role in winning Ligue 1 and the Champions League.
Both outlets report that Platini’s endorsement comes with a comparison to Kylian Mbappé. They say Platini effectively “snubs” Mbappé as a choice for the award, instead aligning his pick with Kvaratskhelia’s club accomplishments. While one source frames the claim as a direct betting remark, another emphasizes the contrast between Kvaratskhelia’s Champions League success and Mbappé’s off-field or tournament-related recognition. Overall, the reports focus on Platini’s personal prediction and the reasoning he gives for it, rather than official award nominations or voting outcomes.
The specific details of the underlying achievements mentioned—such as which competitions are being referenced as having been won—are presented as part of Platini’s justification, not independently verified within the reports.
