Jorginho has let slip the nickname he and his Arsenal team-mates have given star man Bukayo Saka - and the winger isn't a fan of it.
Saka has been pivotal in Arsenal's title push this season, contributing five goals and 10 assists as the club sits second in the Premier League. The 23-year-old winger already boasted a reputation for reliability, but with captain Martin Odegaard missing much of the campaign through injury, Saka has stepped up in arguably the best season of his career to date.
Jorginho has revealed how the talisman has earned a new nickname due to his outstanding performances. The Italy international - who was born in Imbituba, Brazil - appeared on the 'Rio Ferdinand Presents' podcast and explained the origin of Saka's latest moniker.
"Now he's gonna be really upset with me," said Jorginho. "So basically in Brazil, we have this joke, and we make this nickname, yes? [In] Brazil, 'pé', it means feet, foot, yeah? And 'pesudo', it means big foot. So when it's like bad technique or control or something like that, so we start calling him like, 'Oh, pesudo! ' Yeah, he goes mad."
Manchester United icon Rio Ferdinand gave a perplexed response to the name, given Saka has been so good this term. But Jorginho explained the irony of its meaning is what makes it so funny.
"Yeah, but it's a joke because he's completely the opposite, isn't he? And he's just an unbelievable player who is becoming like a machine for us, and I hope he becomes like for England as well, you know," he added.
"Because his talent and his hunger and his quality is just so high. And on top of that, the person he is – he just deserves the world, everything. I'm there cheering for him, honestly."
Jorginho didn't stop there as he also voiced his desire to see Saka clinch the Ballon d'Or someday. The Englishman finished 21st in 2024 ballot, but his team-mate is confident he can reach that level in future.
Gabriel, Jorginho and Bukayo Saka of Arsenal pose for a photo in the Arsenal dressing room after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium
Jorginho is a big fan of Arsenal's star boy (Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
"[Saka] is unbelievable... world-class," he said when Ferdinand asked about Saka's presence around the dressing room. "I said to him: 'I want to see you win the Ballon d'Or.' I said that because I believe in him... I hope he believes in himself as well."
Arsenal are sitting comfortably at second in the Premier League thanks primarily to Saka's stellar performances. Despite trailing Liverpool by nine points, Arteta's squad has shown resilience through some rough patches already this season, with Saka playing a crucial role in their campaign.