European football expert Julien Laurens: I think he was the best player in Europe last season, especially in the Champions League where he was outstanding. He helped lead the team to another title, a back-to-back one.
He got the penalty in the final, scored in both semi-finals, in the quarter-final, and in the last 16. He was amazing in those huge, huge games where you want your best players to step up. He deserves to win the Ballon d’Or for being the best player in the world all the way up to the World Cup.
He won’t win it, unfortunately, because Lamine Yamal, for the player he is and how entertaining and spectacular he is, didn’t really shine at the World Cup, even if Spain won it. He didn’t really do that well in the Champions League for Barcelona, getting knocked out early. However, his style of football means he’ll probably win it – but it should be Kvaratskhelia.
Ex-Liverpool and Blackburn full-back Stephen Warnock: I think it will be Lamine Yamal for helping Spain to win the World Cup. If you were asking who else is in the hunt, I would say Michael Olise, but my pick personally would be Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, he is unbelievable. I love watching him play. He had such an impact for Paris St-Germain and last season he was incredible. I just don’t think he will get the votes with Georgia not being in the World Cup.
BBC Radio 5 Live Euro Leagues guest and Athletic reporter Rory Smith: It will probably go to Lamine Yamal because it generally goes to someone who has won the biggest trophy, and this is the World Cup. It shouldn’t be him because he wasn’t necessarily Spain’s most important player but his fame and talent means it will be him.
Personally I would give it to Kvaratskhelia. He has been the most exciting player in European club football for a while now, a valuable part of the PSG team who retained the Champions League, and crucially I think you shouldn’t suffer because you come from a country who isn’t in the running to win the World Cup.
