Former Premier League star Giorgi Kinkladze has left fans astonished after being pictured with Oasis icon Noel Gallagher at a recent Manchester City match, showcasing a dramatically different look from his playing days.
The ex-Manchester City midfielder returned to England to watch his former club secure a crucial 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the title race. Sharing the image on social media, Kinkladze wrote: "A few days on, and that win over Arsenal still feels incredible. Games like that show character and what this great club is about. Happy to share this moment with my old friend Noel Gallagher - football, music, and Manchester as it should be. City till we die."
The post triggered an outpouring of responses from City fans. One commented: "You're one of City's greats, Giorgi. Amazing watching you play in City's colours. Best wishes to you." Another added: "You are the best I've ever seen, Giorgi." A third supporter said: "My first hero - what a player you were," while a fourth noted: "Two legends." A fifth captured it perfectly in a single word: "Iconic."
Kinkladze's Legacy at Manchester City
Kinkladze enjoyed three seasons at Maine Road during the mid-1990s, becoming a cult favourite during one of the club's most challenging periods. His mesmerising dribbling, weaving individual runs, and memorable strikes provided precious flashes of brilliance for fans enduring tough times.
Noel Gallagher originally described him as "either the most frightening thing I've ever seen or the best thing I've ever seen." The Oasis guitarist recalled: "I flew up from London to see his debut against Tottenham and sat next to Terry Venables. I watched Kinky for the first time and it was like, 'Jesus, this is either the most frightening thing I've ever seen or it's the best thing I've ever seen.' I couldn't decide which one it was! You'd only get that at City."
Comparisons to Maradona
Gallagher is not alone in cherishing memories of Kinkladze. Former City teammate Chris Greenacre believes the diminutive midfielder was so talented that he represented "the nearest thing" to Argentine icon Diego Maradona.
"Georgi Kinkladze, oh my goodness! The things he could do were simply unbelievable," Greenacre said. "For those who don't know him, I'd probably say he was the nearest thing to Maradona in terms of his ability. He played with a low centre of gravity and that enabled him to shift his hips quite easily and fly past players. During training he would pass three or four players easily and leave us all amazed, and he was quite strong for his size (5'9"). The players and fans just loved him, his ability to make passes was just phenomenal. He's quite arguably the best I've ever been involved with."
Manchester City currently sit top of the Premier League following a 1-0 victory over Burnley in midweek. Although they are level on 70 points with Arsenal, Pep Guardiola's side leads the standings on goal difference.
