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But Chelsea’s Italian schemer is making quite the case.

A Champions League winner.

A European Championship winner.

And now a European Super Cup winner, after the Blues’ triumph over Villarreal on penalties – one of which Jorginho scored.

It’s a compelling palmares but as well as the trophies themselves, Jorginho has been front and centre of all these triumphs too, cajoling, passing and leading his teams to victory.

It’s easy to forget the headlines that were being written about him just two years ago.

He had usurped N’Golo Kante in the Chelsea first XI under Maurizio Sarri, and was the lightning rod for criticism of a team playing sterile football.

But he has rebounded in style to win over both Frank Lampard and Thomas Tuchel, whilst also becoming a trusted lieutenant of Antonio Conte for the Azzurri.

It’s a far cry from his time at Hellas Veronabetween 2010 and 2014 which almost ended in him quitting the game.

Messi is the clear contender to steal the coveted award from Jorginho, but there are other names in the fray.

Lautaro Martinez was a key cog in the Argentina side that saw them lift the Copa America in July.

And he also was a driving force in an Interside that finally wrestled the Serie A title away from Juventus.

Robert Lewandowski is also much-fancied for the award.

The Pole banged in 48 goals for Bayern Munich last season, and was named as The Best FIFA Men’s Player in 2020.

With the prize not being awarded last season, perhaps it would also be unfair to overlook his contribution to Bayern’s momentous 2020, in which they won six trophies.