Chelsea midfielder Jorginho failed from the penalty spot for the second time in the World Cup Qualifiers, but former Italy CT Marcello Lippi stressed the Azzurri star still deserves to win the Ballon d’Or.
Italy and Switzerland shared the spoils on Friday and the Azzurri are only ahead on goal difference ahead of the last match in Group C.
World Cup winner Lippi spoke to TMW after the 1-1 match at the Stadio Olimpico and the 73-year-old still believes Roberto Mancini’s men will make it to Qatar next year.
“Of course, I’m confident,” Lippi told the outlet. “It’s clear that a win would be better. But the useful results to resolve it are there and are in the strength of this team.
“This is a serene and intelligent group, including the coach. They know very well that the final result will be obtained anyway.”
Jorginho missed his third consecutive penalty for the Azzurri and Lippi was asked if he would have picked the Brazilian-born midfielder to take the spot kick.
“I have decided who should take the penalty three times in my career, in situations of great importance,” Lippi added. “Twice it went well, another time it went badly.”
Jorginho has been mentioned as one of the favourite candidates to win the Ballon d’Or 2021 – after winning the Champions League and the European Championship – and Lippi believes yesterday’s penalty shouldn’t stop him from getting the award.
“Despite the mistake from the penalty spot yesterday, I would give it to Jorginho,” Lippi said. “He has won everything and when one wins everything, it’s right that he gets this recognition.
“There are great champions who have won little or nothing, then champions who have won everything and must be rewarded.”