Napoli forward bags UEFA Champions League Young Player of the Season award to add to post-season awards

Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskelia has been named Young Player of the Year in the end-of-season UEFA Champions League awards after helping the Partenopei to the first quarterfinal in the competition’s history. 

Kvaratskhelia, also named Serie A Most Valuable Player of the 2022/23 season, finished the UEFA Champions League campaign with two goals and four assists in nine games as Napoli thrilled audiences all the way to the last eight. 

Unfortunately, the UCL campaign ended in heartbreak for Kvaratskhelia and Napoli, as the Georgian midfielder missed a penalty in the quarterfinal second leg against AC Milan that eventually cost the Partenopei a place in the semifinal. 

Despite winning the award, Kvaratskhelia was unable to make the UEFA Champions League team of the season. 

The left-winger spot that the Georgian would have fit into was taken by Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who ended the competition with seven goals and five assists as Los Blancos reached the semifinal. 

It was an interesting decision since Vinicius and Kvaratskhelia are currently the same age and the Real Madrid man would also have been eligible for the young player of the year award. 

Nevertheless Kvaratskhelia will be happy with another end-of-season accolade after enjoying a spectacular first season with Napoli.