20 Frello Jorginho

Born Jorge Luiz Frello Filho Cavaliere OMRI on December 20, 1991, in Imbituba, Brazil, Jorginho moved to Italy at age 15. He inherited Italian citizenship through his great-grandfather from Veneto. His passion for football was nurtured by his mother, who played a crucial role in encouraging him to continue playing even when he discovered financial exploitation by an agent during his youth career at Hellas Verona.

Inspired by football legends such as Gheorghe Hagi, Ronaldo Nazario, Ronaldinho, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, and Xavi, Jorginho’s style developed into a unique blend of vision, precision, and defensive intelligence.

Club Career

Hellas Verona & Loan Spell

Jorginho began his professional journey with Hellas Verona’s youth team. During the 2010–11 season, he was loaned to Sambonifacese, where he gained experience and showcased his playmaking abilities with 31 appearances and 10 assists. He made his senior Verona debut in 2011.

Napoli: Development into a Playmaker

In January 2014, Jorginho joined Napoli, winning the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana in his first year. Initially struggling under Rafael Benítez, his career flourished under Maurizio Sarri, who deployed him as a deep-lying playmaker. Jorginho played a crucial role in Napoli’s Serie A title challenge during the 2017–18 season.

Chelsea: European Glory

Arrival and First Season (2018–19)

Jorginho signed for Chelsea in July 2018 for £50 million, following Sarri. Despite an initial rocky start, he established himself as a key midfield presence. He won the UEFA Europa League in his debut season.

Success in England (2019–2022)

Jorginho set Premier League passing records and played an integral role in Chelsea’s success. He was pivotal in Chelsea’s 2020–21 UEFA Champions League triumph, scoring crucial penalties and dictating play. His performances earned him UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in 2021 and third place in the Ballon d’Or rankings.

Arsenal: A New Challenge

In January 2023, Jorginho moved to Arsenal for £12 million. He made an instant impact, scoring a late winner against Aston Villa and earning Man of the Match performances. In May 2024, he extended his contract with Arsenal.

International Career

Eligible to play for both Brazil and Italy, Jorginho chose Italy and debuted in 2016. He played a key role in Italy’s UEFA Euro 2020 triumph, excelling in passing, interceptions, and leadership. However, he missed a crucial penalty in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, contributing to Italy’s failure to qualify.

Playing Style & Legacy

Jorginho is renowned for his composure, passing accuracy, and intelligence on the field. He thrives in a deep-lying playmaker role, dictating the tempo and breaking down opposition attacks. Known for his signature ‘hop’ penalty technique, he remains a crucial figure for club and country.

Nicknamed ‘Il Professore’ and ‘Radio Jorginho’ for his leadership and vocal presence, he has cemented his reputation as one of football’s top midfielders.

Personal Life

Jorginho was married to Natalia Leteri, with whom he has two children. Since 2019, he has been in a relationship with stylist and former singer Catherine Harding, and they have a son together. The couple announced their engagement in December 2023.