Chelsea and Italy midfielder Jorginho shouldn’t be in the top three of Ballon d’Or voting as he’s not the best player for either his club or country.

That’s the view of talkSPORT host Darren Bent, who has added to the debate over some surprising results in the voting for the game’s greatest player.

Jorginho certainly had the best year in terms of silverware, taking two of football’s biggest prizes
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The midfielder followed up his Champions League success with a Euro 2020 win
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The Ballon d’Or is seen as the most prestigious individual prize in football, and Lionel Messi picked up his record seventh trophy during a year in which he won the Copa America with Argentina.

Many were surprised that Robert Lewandowski didn’t pip the PSG forward to the award after two years of unparalleled goal-scoring with Bayern Munich, but Bent was just as shocked at who squeezed onto the podium.

Jorginho made it into third place on the list, achieving huge success by winning Euro 2020 with Italy and the Champions League with Chelsea.

“He’s not the best player at Chelsea and he’s not the best player in the Italian squad,” Bent explained. 

Jorginho was Italy’s hero in their semi-final shootout victory over Spain but missed from the spot against England
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Did Donnarumma deserve to be higher due to his match-winning displays at Euro 2020?
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“He’s just part of two very good teams, does that make him the third best player in the world?”

The midfield metronome was joined in the final 30 by a number of his club and international teammates, including N’Golo Kante, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Mason Mount and Giorgio Chiellini.

Despite his splendid form since moving to Stamford Bridge from Napoli for £50million in 2018, Bent believes a number of other candidates should have made it in the top three.

Co-host Ally McCoist said his top three would have been Lewandowski followed by Messi and Mohamed Salah, and was asked by Bent if Jorginho makes it in.

McCoist would have had Salah in his top three well ahead of Jorginho
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Nevertheless Jorginho was delighted with his placement
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“No! Maybe it’s a little bit harsh because Jorginho has had a fantastic year,” McCoist said. 

“But the difference I think with Jorginho is he’s had a wonderful season playing with two wonderful teams and has had great success.

“I’m not sure his play, as brilliant as it has been, merits world footballer of the year.”

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