Diego Maradona Jr., the legendary Argentina national team striker and son of the Italian football icon who starred for Napoli, praised the club for its decision to honor Georgian midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia by adopting a number associated with his father. The player now wears the number 77.
“A number 10 for Kvaratskhelia? I’ve echoed my thoughts about Insigne before. My hope is that someday he will be handed that iconic digit, just as I once imagined for Insigne. For now, 77 seems to suit him well. Kwara is an outstanding talent, incredibly strong and dedicated, yet his game demands a lot of intelligence and discipline,” remarked Maradona Jr., speaking to Corriere dello Sport.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia began his professional journey with Dynamo Batumi in Georgia. He transitioned to Napoli in July 2022, moving from the Dynamo squad to a team competing at the highest level in Italy. In March, the Georgian national team forward departed during a training camp with Kazan for reasons that led to his ongoing absence, and Rubin later announced the suspension of his contract with the striker. This sequence marked a significant turning point that positioned him on the radar of major European clubs.
As the season progressed, Kvaratskhelia accumulated 11 goals and 9 assists across 22 league appearances, underscoring his pivotal role in Napoli’s attacking framework. His creativity and timing placed him among the league’s leading assist providers, reflecting a season defined by effective decision making and precise execution in the final third.
Alongside Victor Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia formed one of Serie A’s most potent attacking duos. Their cooperation in attacking sequences, rapid counter moves, and ruthless finishing converted chances into tangible results, elevating Napoli’s status in the title race and captivating fans with a cohesive and dynamic attacking approach.
His performances during a particular month earned him recognition as the best player of that period in Serie A, a nod to the consistency and influence he displayed across multiple matches rather than a single standout performance. The assessment highlighted his technical skill, pace, and ability to influence games through intelligent positioning and decisive actions.
Former coach Yuri Semin has repeatedly praised Kvaratskhelia, naming him among the world’s top talents in his position. This assessment aligns with the growing consensus among analysts that the Georgian winger possesses rare qualities—blend of pace, vision, and finishing ability—that enable him to compete at the highest levels and continue evolving within elite clubs.