Kvaratskhelia: ‘Messi walked over and shook my hand’

Napoli star Kvicha Kvaratskhelia admits the hardest opponent he has confronted could be very near house, whereas revealing anecdotes about Lionel Messi and Milan rival Rafael Leao.

The Georgia worldwide is at the moment away taking part in for his nation after scoring two targets towards Scotland and making ready to face Spain.

He spoke to native reporters and spilled the beans on some intriguing tales from behind the scenes.

“The hardest opponent I’ve ever confronted is Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the coaching floor. I hope I’ll by no means must play towards him,” stated Kvaratskhelia.

Collectively they received the primary Napoli Scudetto in over 30 years and that allowed the native followers to nickname the ahead ‘Kvaradona.’

It proved sufficient to get him on the Ballon d’Or record of candidates and it was on the ceremony in Paris the place he met World Cup winner Messi.

“Messi was sitting to the appropriate of me. Throughout the business break, we have been warned to not rise up and transfer round quite a bit, so I stayed seated.

“Instantly, he acquired up and got here in direction of me. I didn’t perceive what was taking place, however he lifted his arm and shook my hand. I respect it a lot, he’s an incredible individual.”

Kvaratskhelia additionally impressed a few of his opponents in Serie A and was grateful for a gesture from Milan star Rafael Leao after the Napoli man lastly broke his six-month purpose drought.

“It’s powerful to discover a man like Leao in soccer. After I hadn’t scored for a very long time after which acquired a purpose, he wrote to congratulate me and wished me all the very best. He’s a brilliant human being.”