Italy legend Giorgio Chiellini announces retirement from international duty – and may quit Juventus for MLS
ITALIAN legend Giorgio Chiellini has announced his international retirement – and he could be set for a switch to the MLS. The 37-year-old Juventus defender has earned 116 caps for his country and helped them to Euro 2020 glory over England last year. However, he has also been part of the squad that failed to […]
ITALIAN legend Giorgio Chiellini has announced his international retirement – and he could be set for a switch to the MLS.
The 37-year-old Juventus defender has earned 116 caps for his country and helped them to Euro 2020 glory over England last year.
However, he has also been part of the squad that failed to qualify for this year’s Qatar World Cup.
And after that disappointment, he has confirmed that his time representing the Azzurri is coming to an end.
Chiellini will stop his epic international career after Italy’s friendly against Argentina at Wembley in June.
Speaking after Juventus’ 2-1 win at Sassuolo, he said: “I’ll say goodbye to the national team at Wembley.
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“Where I experienced the pinnacle of my career winning the Euros.”
Chiellini, who made his Italian debut back in 2004, added: “I’d like to say goodbye to the Azzurri with a nice memory.
“That will certainly be my last game with Italy.”
Chiellini, Italy’s joint fifth most-capped player alongside Andrea Pirlo, could also be on the move this summer from Serie A.
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Fabrizio Romano claims that the veteran is “exploring options” in America’s MLS.
However, the star himself insists that he has not made any decision on whether to continue playing at Juventus yet.
Chiellini added: “My love affair with Juventus is not ending, it will never end.
“Of course, from now to the end of the season I do have to evaluate everything, talk to my family about what is best.
“Let’s reach fourth place [in Serie A] first and win the Coppa Italia, then we’ll sit down with my two families – at home and Juventus – to figure out what is best for everyone.
“It was the same last summer, I took time and didn’t sign the new contract until after the Euros.
“At my age, you can’t look too far into the long-term, but that’s only natural, it’s all fine.”