Italian football legend Giorgio Chiellini has officially announced his retirement, culminating a remarkable 23-year career that he described as “the most beautiful and intense journey of my life.”
The 39-year-old, renowned for captaining Italy to victory in Euro 2020, has decided to hang up his boots.
Chiellini gained prominence at Juventus, where he played a pivotal role in their dominance of Serie A, contributing to nine consecutive league titles from 2011 to 2020 and clinching the Coppa Italia five times.
After leaving Juventus, he ventured into Major League Soccer (MLS) and played for Los Angeles FC since June 2022.
In his farewell message on social media, Chiellini expressed gratitude to the sport, saying, “You have been my everything. With you, I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path.” Despite his illustrious career, Chiellini acknowledged the need to embrace new challenges and embark on “further important and exciting pages of life.”
Chiellini, who retired from international football in 2022, made 117 appearances for Italy, scoring eight goals.