Jorginho has apparently ‘agreed’ that it would be a scandal if he won the 2021 Ballon d’Or ahead of Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, according to Antonio Cassano.
The 29-year-old Chelsea midfielder lifted the Champions League trophy with his club last season before adding to his silverware cabinet in this summer’s Euro 2020.
Jorginho played a central role in Roberto Mancini’s Italy side en route to beating England in the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.
Ahead of the current Premier League season, the former Napoli star also captured the Super Cup with Chelsea after their penalty shootout win over Villarreal.
Jorginho, who has been nominated for the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year award, is tipped to challenge Messi and Chelsea teammate N’Golo Kante for the Ballon d’Or.
However, Cassano has claimed that he told the Italy international that it would be a “scandal” if he scooped France Football’s coveted prize ahead of Messi.
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Speaking to Christian Vieri’s Twitch channel Bobo TV, Cassano said: “Remember when I said any journalist who voted for Jorginho as Ballon d’Or should have his licence taken away?
“Well, I was in Formentera with my family and just as I saw down, I felt a touch. ‘Antonio, you’re great!’ the voice says. I turn around to ask who he was, he took off his glasses and mask, and it was Jorginho!
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“I told him, ‘Jorgi, can you believe the scandal if they should give you the Ballon d’Or and not to Messi?’ He replied that he absolutely agreed with me, Messi should always win it.
“Now I admire Jorginho even more. We were talking for a good 90 minutes, he is an exceptional guy, very intelligent, humble and polite.”
Messi is considered the strong favourite to win an unprecedented seventh Ballon d’Or after capturing his first major silverware with Argentina at the Copa America.
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