He Lived in a Monastery: The Story Behind Italy's “Professore”

For the 29-year-old, the European Championship on Sunday in the final against Italy at Wembley Stadium could end in the same way as his season at Chelsea: with an award ceremony. The “Blues” from London won the Champions League title thanks to Jorginho. At least the Italian media sees the midfielder as a candidate for the Ballon d'Or in the election for world footballer. “Jorginho is gold,” wrote Tuttosport already. “He is a very important player for us because he sets the pace” Roberto Mancini on Jorginho Jorginho sets the pace in the Italian midfield. © APA/afp / JUSTIN TALLIS

Unspectacular and quiet, but with enormous precision, willingness to run and passing accuracy, Jorge Luiz Frello Filho has developed into the heart of Italy's team in recent years. He is indispensable in Mancini's system; he was the only Italian outfield player to be on the pitch for over 90 minutes in almost all European Championship games. “He is a very important player for us because he sets the pace,” praised Mancini. In the team, Jorginho is called “Il Professore” or “Radio Jorginho” because he constantly gives instructions. “He is irreplaceable for this team.” Marco Verati “He is a phenomenon, he hardly makes any mistakes,” said Nicolo Barella. Marco Verratti said: “He makes everything look very easy. He is irreplaceable for this team.” The crowning glory of Jorginho’s European Championship so far: the casually converted penalty in the 4-2 penalty shootout in the semi-final against Spain. Against Austria in the round of 76,1, Jorginho covered the most kilometers of any player. After six games, only the Spaniard Pedri (72,3 km) ranks ahead of the Italian (XNUMX) in the total kilometers. To Italy at 15 Jorginho's path to the biggest football stage in Europe was anything but predetermined. His mother Maria Tereza, herself a passionate footballer, introduced her son to the sport at an early age. Initially Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Kaka were the role models. A switch to a more defensive position followed, and Jorginho, who comes from Imbituba in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Caterina, now oriented himself towards Andrea Pirlo and Xavi: “I liked this role.” Jorginho lived on 20 euros a week At 15, Jorginho went to Italy, to the homeland of a great-grandfather from Vicenza. He lived in a monastery and tried to make a breakthrough with second division club Hellas Verona. But setbacks followed. The teenager lived on 20 euros a week - until a fellow countryman pointed out to him that his advisor at the time was cheating him out of money. “I wanted to give up and was devastated. I cried and called home, wanted to go back to my mother and never play football again,” said Jorginho. But she persuaded him not to give up. Maurizio Sarri (3rd from left) was Jorginho's (2nd from left) biggest supporter. © APA/afp / CARLO HERMANN

This was followed by appearances for Verona and in 2014 he moved to SSC Napoli, from where coach Maurizio Sarri took him to Chelsea in 2018. Here too he had to endure criticism before he became a regular player. His development in the national team - he accepted citizenship in 2012 - was also unpredictable. After being eliminated from the 2018 World Cup qualification, Jorginho remained in the team under neo-national coach Mancini, while others had to leave.

“I always saw criticism as motivation to do better,” said Jorginho about the adversity in his career. In addition to him, Mancini has now also nominated other Brazilian natives in the European Championship squad. Like Jorginho, Emerson plays for Chelsea and Rafael Toloi for Atalanta.

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He Lived in a Monastery: The Story Behind Italy's “Professore”

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