Giorgio Chiellini announces retirement from football | OneFootball

Italy and Juventus great Giorgio Chiellini has announced his retirement from football at the age of 39.

After leaving Juventus in the summer of 2022, Chiellini finished his career playing for LAFC, whose season culminated with a defeat to Columbus Crew in Saturday’s MLS Cup final.

But it is his time in his homeland and on the international stage which the central defender will be best remembered for.

Chiellini came through the youth system at Livorno, before joining Roma in 2002, and then Juventus in 2004.

He went on to make 561 appearances for the Bianconeri over 18 years with the club, during which time he won nine Scudetti and five Coppas Italia, among other honours.

His career also saw him earn 117 caps for Italy, and having missed out on a World Cup winners’ medal in 2006, he finally got his hands on international silverware when the Azzurri overcame England at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.

In a statement released via social media on Tuesday, Chiellini hinted that he will remain closely involved with football now that his playing days have come to an end.

“You have been the most beautiful and intense journey of my life,” he wrote.

“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.”