Jorginho insists it’s ‘always a great honour and pleasure’ to play for Italy: ‘A wonderful country that welcomed me when I was still a child.’
The 31-year-old started against Spain in the Nations League semis on Thursday night but was replaced after just 60 minutes and remained on the bench in the third-place play-off against The Netherlands on Sunday.
The former Napoli and Chelsea midfielder has been criticised when playing for the Azzurri since missing two penalty kicks against Switzerland in the World Cup qualifiers in 2022 when Roberto Mancini’s men missed out on Qatar 2022.
However, the Arsenal midfielder seems keen on continuing with La Nazionale and until Mancio relies on him.
“Always a great honour and pleasure to wear this shirt to represent this wonderful country that welcomed me when I was still a dreamy child. Forza Italia,” Jorginho wrote on Instagram on Monday, the day after Italy’s game against The Netherlands, won 3-2 by the Azzurri.
Jorginho made his Italy debut in March 2016 and has five goals in 48 appearances with the Azzurri. He was part of the team that won the 2020 European Championship.
Jorginho joined Arsenal from Chelsea this past January and his contract at the Emirates Stadium expires in June 2014. The 31-year-old has been linked with a return to Serie A with Milan and Lazio reportedly interested.