On Wednesday, DAZN Italy released the latest episode in the DAZN Heroes series, entitled Scelgo Kvaradona, in which Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia provided an exclusive interview to the sports streaming service provider. Forza Napoli Press provides a comprehensive summary of the interview.
We brought some photos with the nicknames they’ve given you in Naples. This one was said by the president, “Zizi”. This nickname is “The Blue Angel”. This is very popular, “Kvaradona”, and easy. And this one is the last one, “Kvaravaggio”. Choose your favorite nickname.
They are all very nice, but when it comes to even a small part of the Maradona name being associated with you, it’s an honor. It creates an emotion different from the others: it fills me with pride. So “Kvaradona” is definitely my favourite.
Did you expect to have a devastating impact in such a short time when you arrived in Italy?
I can’t tell you if I expected it or not, but I’ve always done everything for this to happen. Football is my life, and if things go well there’s even more satisfaction. I do my best for the team, the rest is evaluated by the fans, whom I always thank so much for their support.
You recently returned to Georgia, which was much awaited. How did it go for the first time as a Napoli player?
I would like to premise [my response by saying] that in Georgia everyone loves football. Every footballer and every sportsman is highly esteemed, therefore it is easy to be welcomed with so much love. But I can tell you that a lot of Georgians have started supporting Napoli since I’ve been playing there, hence the really warm welcome. However, my country and I would like everyone to know that Georgia is home to amazing people.
But it is true that, when you play for Napoli, there is a lockdown in Tbilisi, everyone watches Napoli?
Yes, this happens too.
Do you remember your first kicks as a child? Did you think that you would become one of the strongest players in Europe?
I’m still a long way from this definition, but I’ll do my best to confirm it. In any case, no, I didn’t expect it. It’s very difficult to think that, [coming] from such a small country, one could play for such a big team. It was my dream to play for a renowned, top club like Napoli. However, I still have a long way to go and many goals to achieve.
It’s true because you have already played at Anfield against one of your idols, Salah, as we show in this photo. And there, you proved to Europe that you are a formidable player against Alexander-Arnold and did good things.
When you learn that your first Champions League match will be against Liverpool, this definitely loads you with a lot of responsibilities and also motivation, because you have to play against great players in a historic stadium. But when I’m on the pitch, I play to give my best in every game, regardless of the names written on the opponents’ shirts and their careers. It’s certainly an honor to play against such famous and strong players, but I think we can compete on equal terms with anyone
Who is the most difficult defender you’ve faced?
I can’t choose one above all the others, but facing Di Lorenzo in training is always very difficult, he is truly a great defender.
Are you afraid that other defenders will ask Di Lorenzo, “how do you mark Kvara?”
I work a lot on myself. I often try to learn and try new tricks and solutions, to become more and more unpredictable. So everything he can say about me will already be old and outdated. It can never be useful to them.
You have the number 77, you said for Cristiano Ronaldo, but in Georgia they call you the Messi of Georgia. So I ask you, Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi?
In reality, 77 has no direct connection but 7 is my favorite number, as well as Ronaldo’s number, so I chose 77. As for the dualism between Ronaldo and Messi, I have always said that it is very difficult to compare them. However, I really appreciate Ronaldo, because having an opponent like Messi for so long and almost always at the same level is very complex. Also for this reason my idol is Ronaldo. Certainly, however, Messi is a fantastic footballer and it is always a pleasure to see him play.
Who was your source of inspiration, your idol, what example do you follow?
My father was a footballer and I think he passed on his love for soccer to me, but I played football because I liked it. It was fun to play all day on the street with my friends. When I was little my favorite player was Guti. I always watched him and I liked his way of playing. He was already grown up when I followed him, after a while he left football. After Guti my favorite has become Ronaldo.
Dinamo Tbilisi is now writing records, is it true that when you played as a child with them, there was a manager who had recently returned from Barcelona and did you import his work methods?
Yes, Spanish coaches had arrived thanks to whom we learned a lot of new things. The academy of Dinamo Tbilisi is still avant-garde. We learned a lot from them: technically, tactically and on a motivational level. By teaching me from such a young age, I matured a lot in football. For this I thank them so much, because they have done a lot for us.
Shota Arveladze. I met him in Naples. He told me that your younger brother is stronger than you. Is it true?
Yes, it’s true! But he still has to prove it, he still has to work and train a lot. He has all the skills to become stronger than me. I strongly hope he does.
What position is he?
[He] plays like me: left wing, right wing and striker.
In the match in Glasgow, Spalletti threatened you with a crutch because you didn’t pass the ball, but I remember that even in Florence, you were replaced at one point in the match because some balls were held too long between your feet. Perhaps you need to correct this?
Certainly, if the coach tells you one thing, you have to work on it, this is his role and every player must learn from his coach’s teachings.
And do you get along with Spalletti?
[We have] a very nice relationship and he also has a wonderful relationship with the players: he is a very open person.
[Who are] the players you are closest with in the locker room?
I can’t pick one in particular, they’re all good guys. I get on really well with everyone. All the players have a good relationship with each other, as if we were a big family. Everyone played a very important role even when I arrived this summer. They welcomed me very well and I didn’t expect it. I’m very grateful for that.
What trick do you like to do on the field? Tunnel?
It depends on the situation, each moment is different. I can’t pick one in particular.
But I see that you do the tunnel a lot. It’s difficult, many don’t do it. Did you learn as a child that maybe it flies under the table in some way?
No, these are not things you can learn by training. Simply, if I realize that the tunnel could be a way to pass a certain player, if it’s the best choice in that case and if all conditions allow it then yes, I’ll try the tunnel. But I repeat: it depends on the moment but I have never trained on this.
The first contact with Napoli, when you learned that Napoli was interested in you, what did you think, how did it come about?
The negotiations with Napoli lasted a long time, about two years. I was very happy that such a great team was taking an interest in me. They were very interested and I was really happy. I couldn’t wait to wear the Napoli shirt.
Do you know if there were other Italian teams that followed you in that period?
I don’t know exactly. I felt every now and then that there was interest from other teams as well, but having the offer from Napoli, I didn’t think of anything else. I wanted to play for Napoli.
How come you wanted to play for Napoli? What did they tell you?
First of all the team because they have excellent players. Then, when I happened to watch their matches I thought I would have adapted perfectly to that type of game. I really liked how they played, and it happened: now I can say that I too am a Napoli player.
On the city of Naples
The city of Naples is astonishing in its beauty, and the Neapolitans are exceptional people. Here the city thrives on the love of football, everyone knows football in Naples! When you are a player it is motivating when the whole city cheers for you and sends you love in every moment. For me this city is love.
In the matches that you were out, you didn’t play, we saw you in the stands at the stadium, and when the announcer said, there was also “Khvicha” and the whole stadium shouted “Kvaratskhelia”, you hid because you’re shy. Spalletti said that your legs tremble before every game, but is it true?
Ah, I don’t know. I don’t think I’m shy, I don’t know, but I certainly don’t like being the center of attention too much.
On the celebration of sleeping on his hands
It all depends on the mood, I don’t know in advance what I’m going to do after a goal.
Who is your favourite footballer at the moment?
Ronaldo
Cristiano?
Yes
Even now?
Yes
No Mbappe?
No, throughout my childhood I rooted for this footballer and I continue to do so even now. As long as he’s in football I’m rooting for him.
On the ნ symbol after scoring
This is simply the first letter of my fiancée’s name.
Are you superstitious?
No.
Is it possible to pronounce the word the Scudetto?
We still have a lot of time ahead of us and we have to play many games. Every game is fundamental and obviously we will do everything possible to reach this goal.
Do you believe in the Scudetto?
Surely! Every time we take the field we do it to win and then time will tell what happens.
Have you learned a few words in Italian, perhaps in Neapolitan?
I have learned some, slowly I am learning Italian.
Your favourite word in Italian?
Forza Napoli.
In Napoletano dialect, something?
Jamm ja
Favourite food in Naples?
Pasta, of course.
How?
[With] tomato [sauce]
[Can you] salute the fans?
Forza Napoli sempre! Ciao!
