Hellas Verona president Maurizio Setti says Chelsea midfielder Jorginho deserves the Ballon d'Or.
Jorginho is among the contenders for the award, though Marca is reporting Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has won the vote.
Via TMW, Setti recalled to veronaserena.it: "I bought Verona for Jorginho.
"I saw eight Hellas matches and I told myself that if I bought the club he would make me make the leap in quality.
"He is the Ballon d'Or."
Indeed, many inside Italian football have insisted Jorginho deserves the Ballon d'Or after winning the Champions League and Euro 2020 this year. The midfielder was a key player in Italy's successful Euros title triumph this summer.
Jorginho was born and raised in Imbituba in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina before making the move to Italy at 15 years of age. He is of Italian descent through his paternal great-grandfather Giacomo Frello and so was able to secure Italian citizenship.
At Hellas Verona, Jorginho spent four years in the first team before leaving for Napoli in 2014. He left for Chelsea four years later, signing for over €50m.
- updated November 1
