Jorginho Frelo: Flamengo's midfield maestro and a winner in life
When Jorginho Frelo joined Flamengo on a free transfer, many might have thought it was just a typical retirement move. However, just six months later, the Italian midfielder proved with two impressive trophies that age and distance had never been obstacles to his career. From Imbitub in Brazil to the Italian peninsula, and from the Premier League to South America, Jorginho's football story is a legend of resilience and wisdom.
Jorginho's arrival was no accident. Despite spending over a decade in European football, the Brazilian-Italian had never played in the Brazilian league. A three-year contract, a £2.8 million annual salary, and the promise of his children attending a top international school in Rio de Janeiro facilitated this mutually beneficial move. Upon his debut in the Brazilian Serie A, Jorginho demonstrated remarkable adaptability—he completed 129 successful passes in a single league match against Ceará, setting a season record; in the Copa Libertadores final, his precise corner kick assist secured the victory for his team. Behind these statistics lies his control of the game's tempo and his hunger for victory. In November and December 2025, Flamengo, with Jorginho's involvement, achieved a double. On November 30th, the team defeated Palmeiras 1-0 to lift the Copa Libertadores title for the fourth time. Although Jorginho didn't score, his 12 key passes and consistent control of the game were crucial to the victory. Five days later, in the final match of the Brazilian Serie A against Ceará, he again orchestrated the team with 129 passes, helping Flamengo secure the title with a round to spare. With this, Jorginho became the first player to simultaneously hold the European Championship, Champions League, and Copa Libertadores titles, filling a void in football history.
This achievement even surpasses South American legends like Pelé and Maradona, setting a benchmark across North and South America.
Jorginho's career has not been without its challenges. After joining Arsenal in 2023, he gradually faded from the starting lineup due to age and tactical adaptation issues, starting only 12 times in the 2024-25 season. However, Flamengo gave him a new role – to steer the game with experience and wisdom. In the Club World Cup Round of 16 match against Bayern Munich, he came on as a substitute and contributed a crucial penalty and three assists. Although the team ultimately lost, his performance earned high praise from coach Felipe. In the match against Vitória, he set a single-season record with 132 passes, demonstrating a control of the game comparable to his peak. Flamengo's tactical system became more stable because of him.
Jorginho's story is full of drama. At the age of 12, he failed to join Palmeiras after a trial, an experience that became a turning point in his career. Afterwards, he started in Serie C, then went through Napoli, Chelsea, and Arsenal, experiencing both lows and highs. In the 2020 European Championship final, he was named Man of the Match as the core of the Italian midfield, securing the victory with a penalty. In the 2021 Champions League final, he calmly converted the winning penalty, helping Chelsea to the top of European football. Now, he has once again made the "impossible" a reality – joining a Brazilian powerhouse late in his career.
Jorginho's contract with Flamengo runs until 2028, meaning he will continue to write many more stories in South America. Despite initial doubts about his physical condition to handle the intensity of the Brazilian league, the statistics speak for themselves: this season in the Brazilian Serie A, he boasts a 91% pass completion rate and contributes 4 goals and 3 assists. For Flamengo, he is not only a tactical core but also a role model for younger players.
Jorginho's career has never pursued a "grand slam," but he has proven his worth time and again. From Italy to Rio de Janeiro, from the Champions League to the Copa Libertadores, he has always faced challenges with humility and resilience.
