Ballon d'Or: Jorginho Picks Rival Player as Favourite to Win the Prestigious Award

• Jorginho is among the frontrunners for this year's Ballon d'Or award
• However, the Chelsea ace has suggested Man City's Kevin De Bruyne deserves the prize
• The Italian admitted he would pick De Bruyne over anyone else from the shortlist of players nominated for the prestigious award

Jorginho has snubbed Chelsea teammates in his choice for the Ballon d'Or award.

The Blues have five players shortlisted for the prize, including Jorginho who also made the shortlist.

Other Blues players in the race to cart home the gong includes N'Golo Kante, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Mount, and Cesar Azpilicueta.

The five will come up against the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Neymar, Robert Lewandowski, and serial winners Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jorginho is believed to be among the frontrunners for the award after his stunning form in 2021 that saw him win the Champions League with Chelsea before orchestrating Italy's triumph at the Euro 2020.

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While discussing the race for the award, the Italian midfielder joked he is not expecting many votes and revealed he would pick Man City's De Bruyne as his choice for the individual prize.

The 29-year-old hailed De Bruyne as an intelligent player, claiming he plays beautiful football.

“If I don’t vote for me, who will vote? I want to have at least one vote!” Jorginho joked while speaking to ESPN Brazil.

“I believe I’d vote for Kevin De Bruyne for everything he’s been doing and for the beautiful football he’s been showing in recent years. For those who like football, it’s great to see him play because he understands football, he is a player with above-average intelligence," he added.

Jorginho backed for Ballon d'Or

Earlier, YEN.com.gh reported Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has said Jorginho deserves to win the Ballon d'Or award.

While speaking to Gazzetta dello Sports, Tuchel suggested the Italian midfielder is the best candidate for the award, describing the Italy international as "an intelligent player" who he has been privileged to manage.

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"He deserves it, he is one of those who deserve to win the Ballon d’Or," Tuchel said

"He is a very intelligent player and it’s a pleasure to be his coach," he added.