Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini backed his Italy team-mate Jorginho to win the Ballon d'Or as the duo prepare to face off in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Chiellini's Juve are set to face Jorginho's Chelsea in Italy on Wednesday, with both sides looking to seize control of their group after winning their opening games.
Before the match, though, Chiellini was full of praise for Jorginho, having gotten a close look this summer at a midfielder that has lifted both the Champions League and Euro 2020 trophies this year.
What did Chiellini have to say about Jorginho?
“I hope he’ll be able to win, he is a good friend of mine. It’s an award that would feel like it was mine," the Juventus star said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“He was involved in a win and emotions that will always be in our hearts. I’ve always thought he was a good player but after the first few training sessions, I realised how good he is, what a top player he is.
“He has great technical qualities, but the real difference is in his head. Many said he was only able to play with Sarri, but everywhere he goes he is a regular starter. I really hope he will win the Ballon d’Or.”
Another battle with Lukaku
While Chiellini will come against a friend in Jorginho, he'll spend most of Wednesday's match doing battle with another familiar face: Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku starred for Inter last season, scoring 30 goals in 44 games in all competitions while leading the club to the Scudetto, ending Juve's reign of terror atop Serie A in the process.
The Belgian, who moved to Chelsea this summer, has historically struggled against Chiellini and Juve, though, having scored only one goal in six games against the Bianconeri.
“Maybe it’s a little bit diminishing to only talk about me and Lukaku," Chiellini said. "We would be fortunate enough if we play a balanced game without conceding too many spaces to their midfielders and forward.
"In those situations it is difficult to mark them, we have to be extremely careful not to create those situations that can let them express their quality.
“Lukaku is on top, he is a new signing that Chelsea have paid a lot for. He’s not there by chance."