The race for the Ballon d'Or is often exciting and is now stranger to controversy. In 2024, when Vinicius Junior discovered that the award would go to Rodri instead of him, Real Madrid opted to boycott the ceremony in a show of solidarity.
Elsewhere, Franck Ribery believed politics were to blame when he lost out on the 2013 Ballon d'Or, with Cristiano Ronaldo winning the award instead. Robert Lewandowski also called Lionel Messi insincere for his comments after the Argentine claimed the prize in 2021.
In that very same year, there was a third name in the race, Jorginho. Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli claimed the Italian should have claimed the prize.
Gabriel Martinelli Felt Jorginho Should Have Won 2021 Ballon d’Or
The Brazilian praised his current Arsenal teammate
Watching highlights of Arsenal's Premier League win over Liverpool at home during the 2023/24 season, Martinelli praised his teammates' ability to help in the press and quickly progress the ball once Arsenal regained possession.
He said: “This here is one of Jorginho’s strengths, I can’t even find the words to describe it.
“I think he deserved to win the Ballon d’Or a while ago.”
The Brazilian was referring to the 2020/21 season when his Italian teammate finished third in the rankings behind Messi and Lewandowski. Jorginho had a special season that term, and many felt he was deserving of football's biggest individual prize
After all, he won the Champions League, as well as Euro 2021, and finished the domestic season as Chelsea's top scorer in the Premier League – with 7 goals, all scored from the penalty spot.
EPL_Ballon d'Or 2025 Power Rankings Related
Ballon d'Or 2025 Power Rankings
The race for the 2025 Ballon d'Or award begins with Vinicius Junior and Lamine Yamal among the early front-runners.
Zola and Chiellini Also Backed Jorginho
"It would be deserved"
Martinelli obviously wasn't the only one to feel that way, with Chelsea and Italian football icon Gianfranco Zola claiming that it would have been 'deserved'. He explained:
"Now we are talking about a fantastic player like Messi who did extraordinary things for the first time with his national team – and this won't go unnoticed.
"Should they give it to Jorginho? It would be deserved.
"He gives concrete balance and pace to his teams. I was lucky to have him at Chelsea and I know what he does on the pitch. It would be deserved because not only were his performances at a high level, but the teams he played for have been outstanding.
"This must be taken into account."
Italian international teammate Giorgio Chiellini concurred at the time, explaining: "I'd always thought that Jorginho was a good player... Since (Italy boss Roberto) Mancini arrived and was able to give continuity, I was able to realise just how good he is and what a top player he really is.
"Maybe he doesn't have the greatest physical qualities, but the real difference lies in his head and his mentality."
Jorginho would leave Chelsea in 2023, joining Arsenal and becoming a key member of the dressing room on and off the field in the later stages of his career.