Kvaratskhelia holds a narrow 55.5% market edge to finish ahead of teammate Dembélé in the 2026 Ballon d’Or rankings because his standout Champions League campaign—10 goals and six assists across 16 matches, including a UEFA Player of the Season nod and seven consecutive knockout games with direct goal involvement—has generated stronger recent momentum than the reigning winner’s solid but less dominant output. Both players anchored PSG’s back-to-back Ligue 1 and Champions League titles, yet Kvaratskhelia’s higher volume of appearances and consistent European influence have shifted trader consensus in the final weeks before voting closed. Mid-September joint interviews amplified the narrative, with Dembélé publicly calling his Georgian teammate the world’s best and deserving of the award. The October 26 London ceremony remains the decisive catalyst.