March was a horrible month for Jorginho. The government sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, casting a cloud of uncertainty over everyone involved with the Champions League holders, including their 30-year-old midfielder.
But worse was to come during the international break, as he and his Italy teammates failed to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup. The Azzurri's 1-0 play-off semi-final loss to North Macedonia in Palermo was even more painful than the two-legged defeat to Sweden which denied them a place at the 2018 World Cup.
After the shock came the inquest and Jorginho's name cropped up by dint of two fatal penalties in both group matches against Switzerland. In Basel, Swiss goalkeeper Jurgen Sommer saved the first in September, the second soared over the bar two months later in Rome. Sommer and Co. escaped unscathed and won the group, Italy…well you know the story.
But on the eve of a Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid, the former Napoli man must retune his mind and block out any insecurity caused by recent events. That's where Rafael Barreiros comes in.
Barreiros, 32, is a Brazilian psychotherapist specialised in neurolinguistics and hypnotherapy. He began working with the star just before Euro 2020. But before you picture Barreiros hypnotising his prestigious client, think again.
'I don't do hypno sessions with Jorginho because he hasn't got any unresolved traumas or issues. I helped him learn to meditate. I work a lot on the emotional side.
'What he does during meditation enables him to concentrate and find balance during matches, particularly when the opposing team are pressurising him and their fans are on his back. My teachings allow him to start every single game feeling fresh and brimming with mental energy,' says Barreiros
The pair met when Jorginho began following Barreiros on Instagram. 'I haven't really been interested in football in recent years, so I was very surprised when he followed me. I knew he played for Chelsea, and we exchanged messages. I suggested working together and he agreed.'
Since then the player has thrown himself into the methods. 'It still amazes me that he finds the time. He is very busy, as am I, but he is so dedicated. He never misses a session and does meditation exercises for five to ten minutes every day,' says Barreiros.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic they conducted everything via Zoom for ten months, but were finally able to meet last week when Rafael flew to London. The surprise 4-1 loss at Stamford Bridge against Brentford didn't ruin a pleasant weekend as the therapist met Jorginho's family and several teammates.
It's one thing arming a footballer with techniques to remain composed before taking a penalty or free-kick. But how do you stay focused amid unprecedented off and on pitch tribulation for the blues of Chelsea and Italy?
'You have to find an emotional stability in challenging times. But even that doesn't guarantee victory. Football is a team sport so even the best-prepared player depends on his teammates to obtain a positive result. Yes he missed an important penalty for Italy and we spoke about that. Perhaps Jurgen Sommer was more focused than him. The most important thing is not to give up, you must train your mind as well as body and accept defeat as a lesson,' adds Barreiros.
Barreiros also works with MMA and UFC fighters, businesspeople, and creatives in Brazil. But there are still doubters. In most British football grounds and pubs you can probably find a plethora of fans who find the concept of a mental coach ridiculous.
Barreiros says: 'Initially it irritated me that people doubted aspects of my work. And some of them think hypno-therapy is like it in the films. But that's not the case. The person remains awake, conscious, but they unintentionally mention things that reveal the root of the problem. I have achieved a level of acclaim in the last two years, and the results of my institute RafaelBarreiros7 show the value of my work.'
And if that doesn't convince you, Jorginho's winner's medals from Euro 2020, the UEFA Supercup and FIFA World Club Cup should. Real Madrid have been warned.
