For the blue midfielder “now comes the difficult”. Golden Ball? “There is still a little time left, we’ll see”
FLORENCE. «Now comes the difficulty, Italy is no longer a surprise, it is back where it deserves and where it belongs and the opponents will face us in a different way. We must remain humble and hungry ». This is the recipe of Jorginho – best player of the year for UEFA and by many a candidate for the Golden Ball – waiting for the triptych against Bulgaria, Switzerland and Lithuania valid for qualifying for the World Cup.
The Italian-Brazilian midfielder, champion of Europe with the Azzurri and Chelsea, is one of the recognized leaders of Roberto Mancini’s team, in the running for the Golden Ball after being awarded last week by Uefa as the best player of the 2021 and have also received compliments from Pele. «I didn’t expect them, they left me speechless and also my family – admitted Jorginho from the Coverciano retreat – I’m experiencing something surreal and I try to enjoy it to the full. As for the Golden Ball, there is still some time left, we’ll see. “
Now he just wants to return to the field with the blue shirt like last July 11 in the final at Wembley. «There are other national teams full of quality like us but I don’t see any that have our compactness and our team spirit, they have been and will still be our strength. Woe to lower your guard or look too far, we have to think game after game starting from tomorrow’s with Bulgaria against which we will need maximum attention. Now the others will study us to try to fight, we will continue to work to prevent it ».
Jorginho is today one of the recognized leaders of this national team and one of the best ever in his role but in his career they have not always been roses and flowers: «I received criticisms and failures when I was a kid, in Brazil, at the auditions. But I’ve never lowered my head, criticism has made me stronger. So, when Uefa gave me the award, it was also dedicated to the critics ». That was not lacking even against this Italy: for some he won at Wembley fortunately, according to others the real test will be at the World Cup with Brazil and Argentina. “What do I answer? I’ll let them tell. It is difficult to remain in the shadows after a European victory but we must remain humble knowing that we have shown great football so far ». Of which the Italian-Brazilian is confirming himself as one of the best interpreters thanks also to the experience accumulated with the shirt of an important club like Chelsea: «Going abroad made me grow, I don’t hide it. What was it like returning to England after our Wembley win? Certainly the British did not take it very well ». Now his thought is the challenge to Bulgaria at the Franchi: Jorginho has his left calf bandaged for a blow against Liverpool: «If I am at risk on Thursday? To stop me they have to cut my leg. ‘