Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has stolen the spotlight on the eve of the highly anticipated showdown between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. The Georgian winger, who joined Paris in the winter transfer window of 2026, has been the talk of the town ahead of the fiery Champions League encounter.
Kvaratskhelia, 25, arrived from Napoli for a reported fee of €70 million, and he has quickly adapted to life in the French capital. His performances in recent weeks have drawn praise from fans and pundits alike, with his dribbling, vision, and goal-scoring ability making him a key figure in Luis Enrique’s setup.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Kvaratskhelia said: “I am very happy to be here. Paris is a big club, and I want to help the team achieve great things. The match against Bayern will be difficult, but we are ready. We have a strong squad, and we will give everything to win.”
The match, scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2026, at the Parc des Princes, is a crucial one for both sides. Paris currently sit second in Group A, level on points with Bayern, who top the group on goal difference. A win for either side would put them in a commanding position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Bayern, meanwhile, have been in formidable form under new coach Julian Nagelsmann, who took over in the summer of 2025. The German side have won their last five matches in all competitions, including a 3-0 thrashing of Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga last weekend.
Nagelsmann, however, was quick to downplay the hype surrounding Kvaratskhelia. “He is a good player, no doubt, but we have faced many good players before. We have a plan to stop him. The key is to stay compact and not give him space to run at our defense.”
The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams boasting world-class talent. For Paris, Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele will join Kvaratskhelia in attack, while Bayern will rely on Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala to provide the goals.
Kvaratskhelia, who scored twice in his last three appearances for Paris, is expected to start on the left wing. His ability to cut inside and shoot with his right foot has drawn comparisons to Arjen Robben, and he will be looking to make a similar impact on Tuesday night.
“I don’t like comparisons,” Kvaratskhelia said with a smile. “I am my own player. I want to write my own story here in Paris. The fans have been amazing, and I want to repay their support with good performances.”
Kick-off is set for 9:00 PM local time, and the match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports. With both teams desperate for a win, the stage is set for a memorable night of European football.
