Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini – who captained his country to Euro 2020 glory and won a host of honours with Juventus – CONFIRMS his retirement from playing football as he hails ‘the most beautiful and intense journey of my life’
- 39-year-old confirmed he would be hanging up his boots in emotional video
- It came after his side, Los Angeles FC, lost in the MLS Cup final on Saturday
- On a packed train, how DO you ask a celebrity to move from a seat you have reserved? It’s All Kicking Off
Italian football legend Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed his retirement from playing.
The 39-year-old defender, who captained Italy to Euro 2020 glory and helped Juventus win a host of domestic silverware, has been playing for Los Angeles FC in MLS for the past two years.
Chiellini played as LAFC lost the MLS Cup final 2-1 to Columbus Crew on Saturday night in what will be his final match.
In an emotional video posted on his social media accounts featuring great moments from his career, Chiellini said: ‘You have been the most beautiful and intense journey of my life. You have been my everything.
‘With you I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path. But now it is time to start new chapters, face new challenges and write further important and exciting pages of life.’
Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed his retirement from playing football at the age of 39
The legendary defender captained Italy to Euro 2020 glory after they beat England
Chiellini won a host of domestic honours in Italy with Juventus and helped the club reach two Champions League finals
The defender told the story of his career through trading cards in his retirement video
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It came after Chiellini hinted he would retire following Saturday’s game and reports in Italy said an announcement was imminent.
The video featured Chiellini looking through collector’s cards and stickers of his illustrious career.
The highlight came when he led the Azzurri to victory over England at Wembley to win the last European Championship.
In all, he played 117 times for the Italian national team, stepping down from international duty after they lost the 2022 Finalissima to Argentina.
At club level, Chiellini made 561 appearances for Juventus between 2004 and 2022, playing a major part as they won nine consecutive Serie A titles between 2012 and 2020.
He also helped them reach two Champions League finals – in 2015, Chiellini missed the 3-1 defeat by Barcelona with a calf injury, but he featured in the 2017 defeat to Real Madrid.
The centre-back’s trophy collection also includes five Italian Cup and five Italian Super Cup successes with Juventus.
Chiellini was twice named in the Champions League squad of the season by UEFA and five times in the Serie A team of the year. He was Serie A defender of the year three times.
Los Angeles had triumphed in the MLS Cup final, beating Philadelphia Union on penalties after a 3-3 draw, but Chiellini didn’t get off the bench.
Chiellini gave nothing away concerning his next move but looked forward to new challenges
Chiellini holds the European Championship trophy aloft after Italy’s shoot-out win over England at Wembley two years ago
Chiellini consoles forward Carlos Vela (10) after they lost the 2023 MLS Cup in Columbus
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He could return to Juventus in a coaching or administrative capacity. His twin brother Claudio is already technical director of the club’s Next Gen department.
Chiellini recently told The Athletic: ‘I see Juventus in my future. I don’t know in what role, but it’s a place where I’ve spent almost half my life.’
Alternatively, Chiellini could be employed by the MLS to further develop the league.
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