The Georgian striker has shone with goals and assists in the Yellow Submarine’s two wins over Elche and Deportivo Alavés
Georges Mikautadze has started the new year in 2026 in the best possible way, making the difference with both goals and assists. The Georgian forward has shown his very best form in the Yellow Submarine’s two victories over Elche (1–3) and Deportivo Alavés (3–1), in which the talented nine scored two goals and provided one assist. It has been a brilliant start for a hugely talented footballer, capable of deciding games with any action near the opposition box.
Against Elche, Mikautadze set up the opener for Moleiro before going on to score the second himself. Against Alavés, the story was reversed. It was the Canary Islands midfielder who delivered a wonderful assist for Mikautadze to show his goalscoring instinct, beating Sivera with an exquisite finish, gently lifted over the goalkeeper.
After two weeks as one of the main protagonists in this record-breaking Villarreal side, Georges Mikautadze spoke to the media on Wednesday to reflect on the team’s strong momentum and his excellent form: “I think we are having a historic season in a league that is not easy. We always try to look as high as possible and we want more.”
The Georgian forward also spoke positively about his arrival at the club, both on and off the pitch: “I have adapted quickly to the group. I understand perfectly what the head coach wants from me, both defensively and offensively. I also get on very well with my team-mates, which helps me to enjoy myself and have fun playing.”
When asked about his development as a player, he highlighted the change in his role under Marcelino: “The most important thing has been adapting to the defensive line, basically positioning myself well to press and control the timing. And in attack, learning where to position myself so that, after we win the ball back, they can find me quickly and I can launch the counter-attack from there.”
The Yellows nine, who comes off two outstanding matchdays, showed both ambition and excitement about Villarreal CF’s season in LALIGA: “I am very competitive and very demanding of myself, but the truth is that I am very happy with how 2026 has started. We focus on taking it game by game, but we are always ambitious, and we are showing that we can aim high.”
Mikautadze’s recent goals have once again put the spotlight on his now-famous glasses celebration, and he explained how it came about: “It comes from a good relationship with a friend. When I used to play PlayStation with him, I scored a goal and did that celebration. Since then it has been like a dedication to him.”
Finally, he revealed that he is keen to learn Spanish since arriving at the club: “Little by little I am learning. I have a teacher now and I am really putting the effort in, trying to speak and express myself.” He even finished by shouting the club’s motto: “Endavant Villarreal!”
Below, you can listen to the full press conference from Georges Mikautadze:
