11 Georgian players from Dinamo Tbilisi academy inaugurated by Cristiano Ronaldo in 2013 set to face Portugal in EURO 2024 clash
11 Georgian players who graduated from Erovnuli Liga side Dinamo Tbilisi's academy, inaugurated by Cristiano Ronaldo, are set to face Portugal at EURO 2024. The Al-Nassr superstar visited Georgia to inaugurate the academy in 2013, and a picture of him with the then-academy players, who have now blossomed into superstars, is going viral.
The majority of the Georgian national team has historically consisted of Dinamo Tbilisi academy graduates. However, the inauguration of the new academy really set the foundation for the rise of Georgian football.
The youngsters in Dinamo's ranks in 2013 who are now star players for club and country include Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Bordeaux winger Zuriko Davitashvili and Valencia shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Key squad members such as winger Giorgi Chakvetadze and midfielders Anzor Mekvabishvili and Giorgi Kochorashvili were also part of Dinamo's academy in 2013.
These players helped Georgia qualify for their first-ever major tournament, beating Greece 4-2 in a penalty shootout in the playoff game. However, things have not gone to plan for the golden generation of Georgian football at the tournament so far.
They fell 3-1 to Turkiye in the opening game and only managed a 1-1 draw against Czechia in the second game. Metz forward Georges Mikautadze has scored both of their goals so far, and will once again be key against Portugal.
A win in their last group stage game is absolutely imperative for Georgia if they are to have a chance at qualifying for the knockout stage. The graduates of Dinamo's academy will have added motivation to perform against Ronaldo, who would likely have been their inspiration at the beginning of their careers.
"Sometimes dreams come true" - Georgia winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opens up on facing Portugal superstar Cristiano Ronaldo
Georgia's talismanic forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opened up on the prospect of facing Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in the group stage of EURO 2024. The Napoli attacker claimed that the experience of sharing the pitch with the 39-year-old would be like a 'dream come true' for him.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference, the 23-year-old said (via @TimelineCR7 on X):
"I've always dreamt of playing against Ronaldo, he doesn't play in Europe anymore but he's now in our group and sometimes dreams come true."
Kvaratskhelia also expressed his desire to get the ex-Real Madrid maestro's jersey after the game, adding:
"I hope to leave the game with Ronaldo's shirt, and I really hope he gives it to me."
Desperately looking for a win with a Round of 16 berth on the line, Georgia will take on Portugal on June 26 at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen.