Author: Dhruv Patil
In a surprising turn of events, online searches linking Arsenal midfielder Jorginho to São Paulo FC have skyrocketed by more than 1,500% in the last week. The Brazilian club’s fans are enthusiastic about the Italian player, but what has caused this sudden interest?
The catalyst seems to be a 2022 interview with São Paulo striker Lucas Moura on the “Desimpedidos” channel. During the conversation, Moura revealed that he had exchanged messages with Jorginho, discussing the possibility of the midfielder joining São Paulo. This revelation reignited the fans’ interest, especially considering Jorginho’s previous statements expressing his affection for the club.
Jorginho, who has been at Arsenal since January 2023, had a brief spell at São Paulo during his youth career. In an interview two years ago, he spoke about his love for the Brazilian club, where he spent a few weeks trying out for the youth teams. This was the perfect context for Moura to talk to his friend about the possibility of playing for São Paulo. “There was a statement from Jorginho saying that he was from São Paulo. I sent him a message and said: ‘Let’s go there soon’. Then he said: ‘When you go, call me’. I said: ‘I’ll remember that“, shared Moura.
Jorginho’s journey to professional soccer was not a simple one. He faced numerous challenges growing up in Brazil, where there wasn’t the necessary infrastructure to nurture his talent. This led him to seek opportunities in European soccer, where he ended up standing out. He began his career with Hellas Verona in Italy and then played for Napoli and Chelsea before joining Arsenal. He also won the 2020 European Championship with Italy, a highlight of his career.
In a 2021 article for the Players Tribune, Jorginho spoke frankly about the difficulties he faced in Brazil, including poor living conditions and safety concerns, which influenced his decision to choose Italy over Brazil.
Jorginho’s contract with Arsenal runs until June 2024, and he has never played professionally in Brazil. However, the recent surge in interest and his past links with São Paulo have fans wondering if a sensational return to Brazilian soccer could be just around the corner.