Kevin Keegan precedent offers hope to Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia for Ballon d'Or in World Cup year

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·3 August 2026

Kevin Keegan precedent offers hope to Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia for Ballon d'Or in World Cup year

Fragmented voting in the absence of an undisputed favourite could help Khvitcha Kvaratskhelia emulate Kevin Keegan’s 1978 Ballon d'Or, won in a World Cup year he did not play. The rules were different then.

According to L'Équipe, Keegan remains the only player to lift the Ballon d'Or in a World Cup year without featuring at the tournament. He was crowned after a standout season with Hamburg that brought no trophies.

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England missed the 1978 World Cup, edged on goal difference at the end of qualifying by Italy. Roberto Bettega and Paolo Rossi finished fourth and fifth in the 1978 Ballon d'Or.

Kevin Keegan, 75, died on 20 July. That year the prize was presented by Jacques Thibert, then editor-in-chief of France Football.

Kvaratskhelia, 25, would like to match that achievement.

Source: L'Équipe