Luciano Spalletti’s decisions and Italy’s results during the September break suggest that Jorginho’s career with the Azzurri is likely over, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Jorginho’s history with Italy’s national team has been long, successful, and troubled at the same time. The Brazil-born midfielder significantly contributed to an unexpected EURO 2020 triumph three years ago, but his Italy career has gone uphill since.
The former Napoli and Hellas Verona midfielder famously missed two penalty kicks in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers against Switzerland. This forced the Azzurri to go through a playoff stage, where they miserably failed, facing defeat and elimination at the hands of North Macedonia.
When Luciano Spalletti took over in September 2023, he snubbed Jorginho for the opening four games of his tenure. The Arsenal midfielder hadn’t gotten enough playing time in London, and Spalletti opted for Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli for the Italy Regista role, but he quickly changed his mind.
Jorginho’s Italy career likely over
Spalletti called Jorginho again in November 2023 for games against North Macedonia and Ukraine. The experienced midfielder missed another penalty in the first match at the Stadio Olimpico, but the Azzurri still secured a crucial 5-2 win in the EURO 2024 qualifiers.
After those two games, Jorginho made seven consecutive appearances, including three during last summer’s Euros. However, none of his performances were convincing, and Spalletti made headlines in a 1-0 loss to Spain, shouting to his players that the Arsenal midfielder should have come to collect the ball or there was “no point in him playing.”
It wasn’t all Jorginho’s fault, of course. The Arsenal man was dropped in the Euro Round of 16 against Switzerland and Italy’s performance was still depressing, leading to a deserved elimination.
Barely two months have passed since Italy’s Euro exit, but so much has changed already. Spalletti dropped eight Euro 2024 players, including the Arsenal playmaker, for September games against France and Israel, and the early signs suggest that Jorginho’s Italy career might be over after 57 international appearances and five goals.
Spalletti has switched to a 3-5-2 formation, with Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci replacing Jorginho as a deep-lying playmaker. Fans and pundits praised Ricci for his latest international displays, and even 1982 World Cup winner Marco Tardelli said he was impressed by the 23-year-old’s personality. It should also be noted that Spalletti has even more options for the Regista role, with Juventus’ Nicolò Fagioli still in contention for a starting spot, leaving little room for Jorginho.
“Jorginho’s qualities didn’t emerge at the Euros, and I want to see if I can find other resources in him. Now, however, it’s to know new faces,” Spalletti said in his first press conference in September.
Jorginho hasn’t made a competitive appearance for Arsenal this season and has been linked with a move to Galatasaray in September. Regardless of whether he’ll get more playing time at any club, his Azzurri career appears to be over, especially with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.