According to RMC, Jérôme Rothen stated on the show "Rothen s'enflamme" that Kvalatschlia is his Ballon d'Or nominee, a sentiment echoed by Emmanuel Petit.
Rothen believes that when selecting candidates, one should not only look at statistics and honors, but also at the player's talent and how he illuminates the game with his talent. He said that Kvalatschria "has talent, can help the team win," and his performance in high-stakes matches, as well as his goal and assist statistics, are outstanding.
Petit praised Kvalatschlia's performances in the Champions League and Ligue 1, believing he deserved the award. However, his absence from the World Cup is also considered potentially impacting his Ballon d'Or chances.
