He scored 26 goals (in 61 caps, between 1996 and 2008), no one has done better in the Georgia jersey, even if Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (16 goals in 33 caps) and Georges Mikautadze (13 goals in 28 caps), both aged 23, should surpass him one day. He had success at Ajax (1997-2001) or at Glasgow Rangers (2001-2005) and this same duty to represent his (small) country well, populated by barely 3.7 million inhabitants. Sitting at the Stamba Café, a trendy place in the capital Tbilisi, Shota Arveladze (51 years old) drew us the parallel between his role as a major player in the national team, at the time, and that of “Kvara”, current star of Napoli.
Shortly before the Euro, he even predicted a possible qualification of Georgia for the round of 16, among the best third places in the group: “ A tournament is not a marathon, you will have to be good over a fortnight. We have a good midfielder, Turkey (1-3) is a very emotional team and can have bad days, the Czechs (1-1) are well organized but are not among the favorites and the last clash could be against an already qualified Portugal (2-0)… »
When you were a player and now like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, did you take on the role of ambassador for a small country?
Totally, I felt it. I was approached, when there was a problem to be solved, people knew they could go through me. One writer said: “within your borders you are an ambassador for your family, abroad you are an ambassador for your country.” You are the face of it.
Is it a pressure to have to represent your country abroad?
The pressure is not linked to the goals you have to score, it is your job and the reason why you were recruited. I was too young to feel it then, but you try to be your best self, being kinder, calmer, more generous than you normally are.
Do people still recognize you on the street?
Of course, they stop me: “Ah Shota, it’s fantastic, what you did, you’re a hero, a great guy.” People also ask me: “why did you say that last time, why did you act like that?” Fame is not always easy to manage, even for Messi it is difficult.
“Khvicha is the hero of his generation, he motivates millions of people”
What do you think about what Kvaratskhelia (author of the opening goal against Portugal) is doing?
It’s complicated for him too to carry so many hopes on his shoulders. He’s an incredible player, very talented, a good person. He’s the hero of his generation, he motivates millions of people, and that’s pretty phenomenal at his age.
Is it difficult to be the star in a slightly weaker selection?
When you wear the jersey of clubs like Real, Barça, Inter, for example, you put your name so high that it feeds a lot of hope in your country. Khvicha was elected best player in Serie A (in 2023) so, obviously, people expect more from him.”
