Jorginho

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3 Apr 2024

Jorginho

Jorginho's career journey from Brazil to Italy and his subsequent success in club and international football is remarkable. Born in Brazil, Jorginho made the significant move to Italy at the age of 15, where he began his footballing journey with Hellas Verona's youth setup. After progressing through the ranks, he earned a spot in the senior team and gained valuable experience during a loan spell at Sambonifacese during the 2010–11 season.
In January 2014, Jorginho's career took a major step forward as he joined Napoli, a move that would prove pivotal in his development as a player. During his time at Napoli, he established himself as a key figure in the midfield, contributing significantly to the team's success. He played a crucial role in Napoli's Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana triumphs, showcasing his abilities as a midfielder.

However, it was his transfer to Chelsea in 2018 that truly elevated Jorginho's career to new heights. At Chelsea, he became an integral part of the team's midfield, displaying exceptional passing, vision, and tactical awareness. He played a vital role in Chelsea's UEFA Europa League victory in his debut season and was instrumental in their UEFA Champions League triumph during the 2020–21 season, solidifying his status as one of the best midfielders in the world. In 2023, Jorginho made a significant move to Arsenal, joining the Premier League club in pursuit of new challenges and opportunities to continue his successful career at the highest level.

On the international stage, Jorginho has represented Italy with distinction. He made his senior debut in 2016 and quickly became a key figure in the team's midfield. His contributions were instrumental in Italy's success at UEFA Euro 2020, where they emerged as champions. Jorginho's performances earned him recognition as he was named in the Team of the Tournament for his outstanding displays.
In addition to his success with Italy, Jorginho has received individual accolades, including being named UEFA Men's Player of the Year in 2021, a testament to his exceptional talent and contribution to the sport. His achievements highlight his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in Brazil to becoming a star player for both club and country on the global stage.

Jorginho's upbringing and early experiences played a significant role in shaping his football career. Born in Imbituba, Brazil, he moved to Italy at a crucial age of 15. His Italian heritage, stemming from his paternal great-grandfather, enabled him to acquire Italian citizenship, paving the way for his football journey in Italy.
Growing up, Jorginho's passion for football was nurtured by his mother, who played a pivotal role in fostering his love for the game. Despite facing challenges, including financial exploitation by his agent during his time at the Verona youth team, Jorginho's determination to pursue his dreams was fueled by a heartfelt conversation with his mother. Her unwavering support and encouragement inspired him to persevere through difficult times and continue his footballing journey.

Throughout his formative years, Jorginho drew inspiration from iconic football figures such as Gheorghe Hagi, whose style of play earned him the nickname "Haginho" among friends. He also admired the talents of Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, and Xavi, drawing motivation from their achievements and playing styles.
These early influences and experiences helped shape Jorginho's identity as a footballer, instilling in him the determination, resilience, and passion that have defined his career at the highest level.

Jorginho's early career saw him progress through the youth ranks of Hellas Verona. In June 2010, he embarked on a loan spell to Sambonifacese, a club competing in the Lega Pro Seconda Divisione. This opportunity provided Jorginho with valuable senior experience, marking his first full season as a professional footballer. During his time at Sambonifacese, Jorginho showcased his talent, featuring in 31 matches and contributing with one goal and ten assists from his central midfield role.
Upon his return to Verona, Jorginho earned his debut for the club on 4 September 2011, entering the match against Sassuolo as a substitute in the 76th minute. This marked the beginning of his journey with Hellas Verona's senior team, laying the foundation for his subsequent rise in Italian football.

On 18 January 2014, Jorginho made a significant move in his career by joining Napoli in a co-ownership deal with Verona, signing a contract that spanned four and a half years. His arrival at Napoli marked a new chapter in his professional journey.
Just weeks after his transfer, Jorginho showcased his ability to make an impact on the field. On 12 February, he played a crucial role in Napoli's triumph over Roma in the Coppa Italia, scoring the decisive goal that helped overturn a first-leg deficit and secure a place in the final. In the final match against Fiorentina on 3 May, Jorginho played the entire 90 minutes as Napoli clinched victory with a 3–1 scoreline, claiming the Coppa Italia trophy.

Jorginho's significance to Napoli continued to grow, as demonstrated in the 2014 Supercoppa Italiana against Juventus on 22 December 2014. Although he entered the game in the second half of extra time, Jorginho made a pivotal contribution, taking Napoli's first penalty kick in the subsequent shootout. Despite having his shot saved by Gianluigi Buffon, Napoli emerged victorious, showcasing Jorginho's resilience and determination.
Under the guidance of manager Maurizio Sarri, Jorginho experienced a significant transformation in his career trajectory. Sarri's tactical approach and belief in Jorginho's abilities led to his deployment in a deep-lying midfield role, where he excelled in dictating play with his precise passing and vision. The 2017–18 season marked a breakthrough for Jorginho, as he played a vital role in Napoli's Serie A title challenge, establishing himself as a key figure in the team's success.

Jorginho made a significant move to English football by signing for Chelsea on a five-year contract, coinciding with the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as the club's manager on the same day. The transfer, which involved an initial fee of £50 million, potentially rising to £57 million with add-ons, marked a new chapter in Jorginho's career.
His Chelsea debut came on 5 August in the 2018 FA Community Shield against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium, where he faced his almost-destination prior to joining Chelsea. Despite Chelsea's 2–0 loss in the match, Jorginho made his presence felt, although he was subjected to boos from City fans.

Just six days later, Jorginho showcased his skills in his first Premier League match for Chelsea, scoring a penalty in a convincing 3–0 victory over Huddersfield Town. His impactful debut set the stage for what would be a memorable season with the London club.
In Chelsea's third league match against Newcastle United, Jorginho made history by completing 158 passes, setting a new record for the most successful passes by a Chelsea player in a single Premier League match. This remarkable feat underscored his importance to Chelsea's style of play under Sarri's management.

Continuing his impressive form, Jorginho further etched his name into the record books by breaking the attempted passes record in Chelsea's sixth league match against West Ham United. With 180 attempted passes in a 0–0 draw, Jorginho surpassed the previous record set by İlkay Gündoğan, showcasing his exceptional distribution and playmaking abilities.
Despite facing challenges, such as missing a penalty in the 2019 EFL Cup final shootout against Manchester City, Jorginho remained a key figure in Chelsea's success. He played a crucial role in Chelsea's triumphant 4–1 victory over Arsenal in the 2019 UEFA Europa League final, contributing to the club's silverware haul for the season.