Injured knee rules out Kvaratskhelia from 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony on eve of event

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will not be at London Palladium on Monday evening for the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony. The Georgian winger for PSG, cited among the serious contenders for the trophy, has withdrawn from traveling to London due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The injury occurred during PSG’s 4-2 victory over FC Barcelona in the Ligue des Champions last Tuesday. The diagnosis, quickly confirmed by the Paris club, ruled out any possibility of attending the ceremony: the 25-year-old player must undergo surgery in Doha, Qatar, early in the week.

Kvaratskhelia’s absence is all the more notable given that he was one of the major architects of PSG’s European campaign this season. Named best player of the 2025-2026 Ligue des Champions, the former Napoli player delivered decisive performances throughout the competition, establishing himself as one of the natural candidates for the supreme individual award.

His non-attendance at the ceremony will inevitably fuel speculation about the winner’s identity, even though a candidate’s absence does not constitute official confirmation of the final ranking. The practice of scrutinizing attendances and absences as the verdict approaches is now entrenched in Ballon d’Or culture.

On the Paris side, Ousmane Dembélé, the defending champion, is expected in London despite a thigh injury. The other favorites — Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal — should be present for this 70th edition of the award.