Jorginho on Italy national team hopes: ‘I’m feeling good and working hard’

Jorginho has not hidden the fact that he would like another go in the Italy national team, but admits ‘there’s not a lot to say other than I’m feeling good and working hard’. 

The former Napoli, Chelsea and Arsenal midfielder has not featured for the Azzurri since the massively disappointing EURO 2024 campaign, and then failed to work his way back into Luciano Spalletti’s plans. In September 2024, it looked like his international career was over. 

Things didn’t go much better for Jorginho at club level in 2024-25, as he saw his opportunities in the Arsenal first-team limited to just 15 outings in the Premier League. 

He was allowed to leave the North London outfit over the summer, and has since joined Flamengo in his native Brazil. 

“It’s a happy moment. It’s a nice choice that I made (joining Flamengo), there’s a lot of games, a lot of tournaments to think about, but I’m really happy about it. We need to continue pushing,” the former Italy international told Sky Sport Italia. 

Jorginho also spoke about his beloved Napoli, for whom he made 133 Serie A appearances across a four-year spell. 

“Napoli are always strong, I always watch with a lot of affection because it’s a club that gave me a lot, a team that gave me a lot and with supporters who gave me a lot,” he said. 

“I have a lot of love for the city, I always follow them and they will continue to fight until the end, they’ve won it recently, they play well, I wish them luck, I’ll always support them.” 

Jorginho was asked, given that he never officially announced his retirement from national team duty, whether he is still interested in a call-up to the Italy squad. 

He replied: “I’m working harder and harder so I can always be ready to play. I always want whatever is best for the national team, there’s not a lot to say other than I’m feeling good and working hard.”