Jorginho was born in Brazil to a family with Italian ancestry before moving to Italy in pursuit of a professional football career in his teens. With Palmeiras traditionally being the team supported by Brazilians from Italian backgrounds, our midfielder was asked what memories he has of the club from his early years growing up in the country.

He revealed that he could once have ended up playing for them, with the fact that he now lines up against them for Chelsea in Abu Dhabi demonstrating the almost surreal journey professional football can take.

‘Let me tell me something not a lot of people know. The connection I have with Palmeiras is that I trialled for the team when I was 12 years old and I didn’t make the team,’ he explained. 'So, honestly, that’s the only memory of Palmeiras that I have.

‘That’s what football is about. We are here about 18 years later to compete in a Club World Cup final against Palmeiras. It’s crazy, but it’s also why football is so beautiful. Everything happens for a reason, so perhaps it was better this way.’

Jorginho also admitted that rejection was tough to take at such a young age, but he will take some motivation from the childhood disappointment onto the pitch in this final.

‘I think it’s only natural for any human being to have that, it’s no different for me. Anything I can seek to give me motivation and to help me find the energy to fight, that’s what I’ll do.’

One advantage from growing up in Brazil coming into this tournament is that he knows exactly how huge the Club World Cup is in that country, with Jorginho and fellow Brazilians Thiago Silva and Kenedy helping the coaching staff underline to the rest of the squad just how motivated Palmeiras will be with their large and passionate following.

‘What we’ve been trying to do is talk to our team-mates and try to show how important this match and this tournament is for Brazilian football,’ he added. ‘The coaches also showed us a video of Palmeiras leaving the country, as our players here may not be aware of how important this competition is in Brazil, just so that it gives us a better sense of it and helps us generate this motivation in us so that we can achieve this victory, which is so important.’

However, the 30-year-old also insisted that the large number of Palmeiras supporters who have made the journey to Abu Dhabi are very welcome, as he is looking forward to the great atmosphere they can help provide at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium tomorrow.

‘Feeling that energy of a Brazilian fanbase, I think there’s nothing negative about it. That’s also what makes football beautiful – to feel that atmosphere, to feel that environment of a final is wonderful.

‘Honestly, I think this will only help to motivate both teams, so I think it will be a beautiful spectacle.’