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Jorginho is a worthy contender for the Ballon d'Or this term ahead of several footballing superstars including Lionel Messi.
The race for the Ballon d'Or is heating up. It is the single most prestigious individual award in football. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated the Ballon d'Or race in the past decade and a half.
Between them, the duo have won 11 of the last 12 Ballon d'Or awards. Lionel Messi is currently the player with the most number of Ballon d'Or wins with six. Cristiano Ronaldo is close behind with five.
The Ballon d'Or was canceled last year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, it is set to return this year and it's safe to say that we haven't had a race for the Ballon d'Or that's as open as this year's in a very long time.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are in the running but the former has way more of a claim on it than the latter. There are also several darkhorses in the Ballon d'Or race. One of them is Jorginho and we believe that the Chelsea midfielder has a strong enough case to win it this time around.
Without further ado, let's take a look at five reasons why Jorginho should win the Ballon d'Or ahead of Lionel Messi.
#5 Jorginho was Chelsea's top scorer in the Premier League
This is a contentious point. Jorginho finished the 2020-21 season as Chelsea's top scorer in the Premier League. However, he is their lowest leading goalscorer ever in a Premier League season. But that's not on Jorginho at all. In fact, he is a central midfielder who is supposed to keep things steady for his side.
He is not the one tasked with finding goals for his side. But he still did it seven times. All of them came from the spot. Now that's not a crowning achievement but providing seven goals from midfield is quite commendable.
He scored eight goals and provided two assists for Chelsea in 43 appearances across all competitions in the 2020-21 season. Bear in mind that scoring goals and providing assists aren't Jorginho's primary responsibilities.
#4 Jorginho was one of the best players of Euro 2020
Jorginho did an excellent job for Italy at the heart of midfield at Euro 2020. The 29-year-old kept things ticking at the center of the park. One fascinating thing about Jorginho is that he is a well-rounded footballer who can tailor his game to suit the needs of his side.
Widely renowned for his distribution and composure on the ball, Jorginho was a big hit at dispensing defensive duties at the continental competition. Jorginho is an extremely intelligent footballer. He topped the list for interceptions (25), recoveries (48) and fouls drawn (19) at Euro 2020.
Jorginho is the player who provided the balance in midfield and without him, they could have been vulnerable.
#3 Jorginho is a player for the big occasion
Jorginho had no qualms stepping up to take the crucial penalty for his national side at the semifinals of Euro 2020 against Spain. He repeated the feat against Villarreal for Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup. Jorginho had no trouble sending the ball into the back of the net and winning the game for his side on either occasion.
He is unfazed by the occasion and has been able to consistently perform at a high level despite the pressure. Yes, he did miss his penalty in the Euro 2020 final but that was down to an incredible save from Pickford.
Jorginho's midfield partner N'Golo Kante gets a lot of praise. But the Frenchman is only able to thrive in Chelsea's midfield because of the freedom and stability that Jorginho provides.
Imagine a double pivot where N'Golo Kante is the more mobile one despite his obvious defensive capabilities. It speaks volumes of Jorginho's tactical intelligence and ability to snuff out attacks.
What is to be noted is that he has done it consistently across the 2020-21 season and that Euro 2020 was just the icing on the cake.
#2 Jorginho excelled in Chelsea's and Italy's midfield despite contrast in styles of play
At Chelsea, Jorginho plays as part of a double pivot. Thanks to his passing range and intelligent movement, Jorginho is able to break down opposition lines by playing through or over the lines.
For the Azzurri, Jorginho plays as a lone defensive midfielder and is left a bit exposed in the absence of Kante. But he manages to balance it out thanks to his incredible ability to read the game.
Jorginho works in silence and he is a treat to watch and study for discerning football viewers. His job is to keep things tidy and slip under the radar and he does that job to perfection.
#1 Jorgnho's trophy haul
Individual awards like the Ballon d'Or are often decided by tangibles. That's why goalscorers and forwards who register plenty of goal-creating actions are usually the frontrunners to win the award.
However, Jorginho's achievements are a case of intangibles translating to his side performing well and winning trophies. He was a vital cog in the Chelsea side that won the UEFA Champions League and in the Italian side that won Euro 2020.
Jorginho has won the UEFA Super Cup as well with Chelsea. He has won three titles and two of them are as big as they come. Lionel Messi has won the Copa Del Rey and the Copa America titles but they're just not on par with Jorginho's trophy haul this year.
