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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Kvaratskhelia reveals surprise interaction with Messi</li><li>Argentine came up to him and shook hands</li><li>Messi won his record eighth Ballon d'Or this year</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

'I didn't understand' - Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opens up on surprise interaction with Argentina & Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi at Ballon d'Or ceremony

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The Napoli star revealed how Messi approached him at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris last month and shook his hands during a commercial break. Kvaratskhelia admitted that he was taken aback by the generosity of a superstar like the Argentine and thanked him for the gesture.

WHAT HAPPENED?

After guiding Argentina to their third World Cup title in Qatar last year, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-beats-erling-haaland-2023-ballon-dor/blt92ba3c076892f9a0#csc5396bc97087c762" target="_blank">Messi bagged the record eighth Golden Ball</a> of his career. He competed against the likes of treble-winning Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland and French star and Messi's former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappe.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Speaking to reporters, Kvaratskhelia said: "Messi was sitting to the right of me. During the commercial break, we were warned not to stand up and move around a lot, so I stayed seated. Suddenly, he got up and came towards me. I didn’t understand what was happening, but he lifted his arm and shook my hand. I appreciate it so much, he is an amazing person."

WHAT KVARATSKHELIA SAID

After a disappointing 2-0 defeat at the hands of Uruguay, the Argentine skipper will aim to get back to winning ways against arch-rivals Brazil on November 22 in a 2026 World Cup qualifying game.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

'I didn't understand' - Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opens up on surprise interaction with Argentina & Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi at Ballon d'Or ceremony | Goal.com

Napoli&apos;s Kvicha Kvaratskhelia reveals surprise interaction with Lionel Messi at the Ballon d&apos;Or ceremony last month.

&apos;I didn&apos;t understand&apos; - Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia opens up on surprise interaction with Argentina &amp; Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi at Ballon d&apos;Or ceremony