A surprising career twist has seen a former Premier League player, who once donned the Manchester City jersey, elected as the President of Georgia.

From Football Pitch to Politics

Mikheil Kavelashvili, who played as a striker for Manchester City, has swapped the football field for the political stage. Recently, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the President of Georgia.

A Memorable Manchester Derby

Kavelashvili joined Manchester City in 1996 and played until 1997. Despite the club facing relegation during his tenure, he managed to leave a mark by scoring in his debut game, which happened to be a Manchester derby. Unfortunately, City lost the match 3-2, with Ryan Giggs securing the win for Manchester United.

International and Club Career

After leaving England, Kavelashvili spent most of his football career in Switzerland, representing clubs like Zurich and Basel. On the international scene, he played 46 matches for Georgia and scored nine goals.

Transition to Politics

Kavelashvili’s journey in politics began in 2016 when he was elected to the Georgian parliament. In 2022, he co-founded the People’s Power political movement. This movement aligns with the ruling Georgian Dream party, known for its pro-Russia stance and aspirations for EU membership.

A Controversial Win

Kavelashvili’s election as President of Georgia came with criticism. However, his victory was smooth, thanks to the Georgian Dream’s control over the electoral college.

From scoring goals to leading a nation, Mikheil Kavelashvili’s transformation is a remarkable story of ambition and adaptation.