Barcelona great Hristo Stoichkov says Chelsea midfielder Jorginho is capable of winning the Ballon d'Or.
Italy ace Jorginho finished the season a European champion at club and international level. Stoichkov says Jorginho would be a worthy winner, though believes Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewansdowski deserves the title most.
Stoichkov told TMW: "Jorginho? He has a chance to win this year for what he did with Chelsea and the national team. But it doesn't depend on me, but on the journalists.
"I would vote for a player who has not done just one year, but 4-5 years at a high level. If he also won the Nations League and the World Cup I would give it to him.
"For me, however, (Robert) Lewandowski would deserve it."
Lewandowski won FIFA's The Best award last year, though was denied the Ballon d'Or after the event was cancelled.
Jorginho was a key player in Italy's successful Euros title triumph this past summer.
Jorginho is full of pride making history with Italy, despite his Brazilian roots. 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.
- updated October 6
