Giorgio Chiellini on Tuesday announced his retirement at the age of 39, bringing the curtain down on a trophy-packed career.
Former Italy and Juventus defender Chiellini revealed he would be hanging up his boots after playing his last match on Saturday, in Los Angeles FC’s MLS Cup final defeat to Columbus Crew.
“You have been the most beautiful and intense journey of my life. You have been my everything,” Chiellini wrote on social media alongside a video showing the highlights of his career.
“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.”
Chiellini won nine Serie A titles with Juventus and also captained Italy to their Euro 2020 triumph at Wembley, where they defeated England on penalties in the final.
He began his career at Livorno before moving to Juve in 2005 after a season at Fiorentina, playing for the Turin club for 17 years.
During his time at Juventus, Chiellini established himself as one of the best defenders in the world. His strong defensive skills and leadership qualities made him an integral part of the team’s success, winning numerous Serie A titles and reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
The Italian giants paid tribute to Chiellini on their website and said: “You were always by our side, like a superhero ready to intervene if necessary. In your case, however, there was no shield, red cloak or bat-mobile: a blow to the head was enough – you took a lot of them – and off you went, all bandaged up.
“Once you wore that, there was no escape for our opponents: it was Kryptonite for any Superman who tried to challenge us, from the “Romeo Neri” of Rimini to the “Santiago Bernabeu” of Madrid.
“Even in the MLS, where you’ve brought to an end your stellar 23-season career, they had a little taste of what you could still do, at 39 years of age. On the slopes of Hollywood Hill they know how to tell the deeds of heroes from other times, of apparently normal men who later turn out to be extraordinary.
“Should they ask us which is our favourite, we have no doubt: with Giorgio from Livorno by our side, complete with that iconic bandage around his head, no one ever scared us. Wishing you all the best, captain!
