Why Jorginho did not play for Italy as Flamengo star loses last World Cup chance | OneFootball

Italy’s wait goes on after a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia on Tuesday, confirming a third straight World Cup absence and reviving the question of why Jorginho has not been recalled despite his Flamengo form.

In December, Flamengo’s football director José Boto told Sky Sports that he could not understand Jorginho’s omission, praising his style, drive and leadership. He urged Gennaro Gattuso to watch the midfielder more closely, saying Italy lacked a player with those qualities.

It was not the missed penalty in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland in 2022 qualifying that shut the door. Switzerland took the direct spot on the final matchday, Italy fell into the play-offs and then lost to North Macedonia.

Jorginho continued to be selected under Roberto Mancini and, after the change, by Luciano Spalletti. His last Italy appearance was the 1-1 draw with Croatia at Euro 2024 on 24 June 2024, a year before he joined Flamengo.

Under Spalletti he began to lose his place, the coach clashed behind the scenes with several players including Jorginho, and was sacked in June last year. Gattuso took over, hopes of a recall rose, but the midfielder did not even make any preliminary lists.

At Flamengo he became a fixture, winning the Libertadores and the Brasileirão in his first half-season and earning a place in the team of the year voted by managers, captains and journalists.

Now 34, this World Cup would have been his last. His agent was in Perugia on Tuesday for an under-17 tournament as Italy were knocked out, and Jorginho made no social media comment.

Born in Brazil, he moved to Italy young and was naturalised. He played Italy friendlies in 2016, was sounded out by the CBF in 2017 before his first competitive cap, then committed to the Azzurra. He has 57 caps, 53 starts, five goals, all penalties, and won Euro 2020.

Source: Globo.com