Jorginho has revealed his added motivation to triumph against Palmeiras in the Club World Cup.
The Chelsea midfielder, who was born in Brazil, was rejected by Saturday’s opponents in Abu Dhabi early on his career.
And as the Italy international bids to add to a trophy-laden past year, which has seen him become a European champion for both club and country, he outlined his history with Palmeiras.
Jorginho said: “Let me tell you something not a lot of people know. The connection I have with Palmeiras is that I trialled for for the team when I was 12 and did not make the team.
“That is the only memory I have of Palmeiras.
“That is what football is like. We are here 18 years later to compete at a Club World Cup Final against Palmeiras and it is crazy - and also why football is so beautiful.
“Everything happens for a reason. Maybe it was better this way.
“Anything I can seek to give me motivation and to help me and try to fight that is what I will do.”
The 30-year-old has little to complain about in terms of the direction of his career – especially over the past nine months.
He was at the heart of Chelsea’s Champions League triumph last May – and then went on to win Euro 2020 with Italy.
He picked up the European Super Cup at the start of the season – and was also named Uefa men’s player of the year.
He came third, behind Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, on the Ballon d’Or list.
Jorginho describes the past year as a dream – but has been among the Chelsea players to impress upon their teammates just how desperate Palmeiras will be to bring them crashing down to earth.
“We have been trying to talk to our Chelsea colleagues and try to show how important it is, how important this tournament is for Brazilian football,” he added. “The coach showed us a video of Palmeiras leaving the country to give our players a sense of how important it is in Brazil.
“We have a lot of respect for Palmeiras because it is not by chance they are here. They got an important title and anything can happen.
“The great mistake is to go on the pitch and know what you are capable of without respecting your opponents.
“This is a trophy and important trophy in the middle of the season.”
