Former footballer Mikheil Kavelashvili, who once wore the Manchester City jersey during his career, has officially become the president of Georgia. He follows in the footsteps of George Weah, the first football star to take on the presidency of his home country, Liberia.
While Weah enjoyed a legendary career, crowned by winning the Ballon d’Or, Kavelashvili’s football journey was far more modest. His stint with Manchester City ended on a disappointing note, but unlike most footballers, Mikheil found the spotlight after retirement.
After hanging up his boots in the Swiss league, Kavelashvili initially sought the presidency of the Georgian Football Federation. However, Michel Platini, then UEFA president, blocked his bid due to a lack of a university degree. Kavelashvili then pivoted to politics, which eventually led to his election as Georgia’s president.
In late December, Mikheil became the sole candidate for the presidency, sparking public outrage. Citizens protested outside parliament, brandishing their university diplomas in opposition to his candidacy. However, the electoral body, largely made up of the Georgian Dream party, confirmed him with 224 out of 225 votes.
A Modest Football Career and Manchester City Highlight
According to Mundo Deportivo, Kavelashvili, like many young Georgians, dreamed of playing for a Russian club. He began his career with Dinamo Tbilisi and later joined Spartak Vladikavkaz in 1995, helping the team win the Russian Premier League title by scoring 12 goals.
Manchester City took notice and signed Kavelashvili in 1996. At the time, City were far from the global powerhouse they are today and often struggled to avoid relegation.
Mikheil began training with City on March 1, 1996, but had to wait until the 28th to obtain a work permit and officially register. His debut came in a 2-3 loss against Manchester United.
During his time at City, Kavelashvili made 28 appearances, only four of which were in the Premier League. The rest were in the second division after the team’s relegation. Over the 1996-97 season, he scored just two goals in 24 matches.
Due to his underwhelming performance, City opted not to renew his work permit. Kavelashvili then moved to Switzerland, where he joined Grasshoppers and later played for Zurich, Sion, and Aarau, before retiring at Basel in the 2005-06 season.
Internationally, Kavelashvili earned 46 caps for Georgia between 1991 and 2002, scoring nine goals but achieving no notable honours.
Fluctuating Political Journey
Much like his football career, Kavelashvili’s political journey has seen its share of changes. After retiring, he entered politics and became a member of parliament in 2016 as part of the Georgian Dream party.
In 2022, Kavelashvili, alongside two other MPs, founded the People’s Power Party, a faction aligned with Georgian Dream that adopted an anti-Western stance and supported closer ties with Russia. This platform propelled his rapid rise to the presidency.
A Unique Parallel
Kavelashvili is now the second footballer to assume the presidency of his country, following in the footsteps of George Weah. Weah, the 1995 Ballon d’Or winner, also won the African Player of the Year award twice and served as Liberia’s president from 2018 to 2024.
Kavelashvili’s journey from a modest footballer to the leader of his nation marks a remarkable, if unexpected, chapter in his life story.
