Italy and Juventus legend Giorgio Chiellini announces retirement - 'Most beautiful and intense journey'

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

Chiellini called time on a glittering career at the conclusion of the MLS season, playing his last professional match for Los Angeles FC in their cup final to defeat to Colombus Crew last Saturday.

Announcing the news on social media alongside a clever sticker-book inspired video, he 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.”

The defender started his career with Livorno before making the move to Fiorentina, but it was at Juventus where Chiellini made his mark.

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!”

After helping the Bianconeri win promotion back to Serie A following the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal, he would form an integral part of the side that won an astonishing nine consecutive Scudettos between 2011 and 2020 before heading to LA.

Aside from those nine Serie A titles during a trophy-laden career, Chiellini won five Italian Cups, one MLS Cup and the European Championships with Italy in 2021.

He featured 117 times for his country, ranking him joint-fifth alongside Daniel De Rossi in the list all-time Azzurri appearances.

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