Giorgio Chiellini, former defender of Juventus and the Italian national team, has confirmed his retirement from football via a social media announcement, subsequent to a recent lost Major League Soccer (MLS) final with Los Angeles. This retirement news has stirred a range of reactions across the internet, including homage from several peers and opponents from his time on and off the pitch.
Chiellini, renowned for his old-school defensive style, was revered for his tackling prowess often emblematic of his significant presence in the game. The Turin-born defender bids goodbye to his playing career, adorned by nine Scudettos and a European Championship, standing as one of the most successful Italian footballers in history.
A notable highlight from Chiellini’s career was his 2005 debut for Juventus in a match against Messina. After stepping in for Nedved, the young Chiellini played a match that some thought would be unmemorable. However, his performance this October night carved his position not only in the Juventus roster, but also in the hearts of millions of fans. This moment marked the start of his fourteen-year playing stint with the Old Lady, during which he made 561 appearances, clinched nine consecutive Scudettos, and took over the captain’s armband from legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Chiellini also demonstrated his loyalty for his club in 2006, when he chose to stay with Juventus despite multiple transfer offers, and demonstrated bravery when he faced Cristiano Ronaldo during the 2014 Champions League Semifinal.
Another highlight of Chiellini’s career was on April 27th, 2008, during a regular season match against Lazio. Chiellini scored a brace, showing Juventus fans what was to come in the future. Subsequently, Chiellini also became the visual symbol of a future defending maestro after celebrating his goal in a match against Turin by beating his chest like King Kong.
His 2015 injury, which ruled him out from the Champions League Final against Barcelona, presented a huge blow as many speculated if the outcome could have been different had he played – a sentiment reminiscent of Nedved’s injury ahead of the 2003 clash against AC Milan. Despite not being on the pitch, his absence underlined his undeniable importance to the team, a fact that is further emphasized by Juventus’ more challenging matches experienced without him.
Chiellini, who holds the record for the fifth-highest number of appearances for the Italian national team, also captivated the whole nation when he lifted the Euro 2020 trophy at Wembley, marking a historic summer of sports in Italy. His interactions with Jordi Alba ahead of the penalty shootout during the semi-finals against Spain also made headlines, epitomizing his playful spirit and enshrining his legacy in the heart of Italian sports history.
Fittingly, fans and experts alike are now eagerly looking forward to seeing him defending Juventus once more, albeit from behind a desk this time.