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Georgio Chiellini Backs Teammate To Win The 2021 Ballon d'Or award

Georgio Chiellini Backs Teammate To Win The 2021 Ballon d'Or award

Lionel Messi is the bookies favourite, but could this Italian spring a surprise later this year?

Tom Fenton

Tom Fenton

Giorgio Chiellini has backed his Italian teammate Jorginho to win the coveted Ballon d'Or award this year following his remarkable trophy haul in 2021.

The pair are set to meet in Wednesday night's Champions League clash in Turin as Chelsea travel to Juventus.

However, ahead of the crucial Group H meeting, Chiellini has been talking up the classy midfielder, who has been exceptional over the past 12 months.

Jorginho was a crucial member of Chelsea's Champions League title run last season, combining brilliantly with N'Golo Kante in the heart of the Blues midfield.

Far from resting on his laurels, the 29-year-old went on to star for his nation throughout Euro 2020, helping the Azzurri to reach the final of the competition - where they edged past hosts England on penalties.

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It was an exceptional run, one that the veteran Juventus defender believes is enough to take home the Ballon d'Or trophy ahead of obvious candidates like Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski.

"I hope he'll be able to win, he is a good friend of mine. It's an award that would feel like it was mine," Chiellini told The Mail.

"He was involved in a win and emotions that will always be in our hearts. I've always thought he was a good player but after the first few training sessions, I realised how good he is, what a top player he is.

"He has great technical qualities, but the real difference is in his head. Many said he was only able to play with Sarri, but everywhere he goes he is a regular starter. I really hope he will win the Ballon d'Or."
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PA

Jorginho isn't the only Chelsea player that the Juve captain will be very familiar with when the two sides meet tonight, as the occasion will also see Romelu Lukaku return to Italy for the first time since his big-money arrival at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Belgian forward was a throne in Chiellini's side for Inter last season, and he will be hoping to cause similar problems this time around.

As Chiellini himself observes: "Lukaku is on top, he is a new signing that Chelsea have paid a lot for. He's not there by chance."

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Topics: Chelsea, Ballon d'Or, Juventus, Champions League, Jorginho