Giorgio Chiellini Retires, Potential To Become Juventus Board Of Directors?

Giorgio Chiellini decided to withdraw from football (Instagram/@giorgiochiellini).

JAKARTA - Giorgio Chiellini decided to hang up his boots from football on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, local time.

The 39-year-old defender has already played his last match with the MLS club, LAFC, against Colombus Crew in the MLS Cup final on Sunday, December 10, 2023.

In that final match, Chiellini failed to bring LAFC to win the MLS Cup after losing 1-2.

The news of Chiellini's retirement was uploaded directly to his personal X account.

"You have been the most beautiful and intense journey in my life. You have been everything for me."

"Together, I have taken a unique and unforgettable path. However, now is the time to start a new chapter, face new challenges and write pages of life that are more important and interesting," wrote Chiellini.

After the news, Chiellini was immediately linked back to Juventus. In an interview with The Athletic, he raised a signal that he would take on a role as a member of the Juventu Board of Directors for the youth team.

Chiellini's potential to fill the chair is wide open. You see, his brother, Claudio, has already led Next Gen or better known as Juventus B (Juventus U-23).

Apart from being related to Claudio, Chiellini is qualified if she has to work behind a table because she has a supportive educational background.

My aspiration is to work more in the management sector. I have a title in the field of economics and MBA (Master of Business Administration) in the field of football."

"Embination requires great dedication to work and I don't feel it right now," said Chiellini.

"I don't want to be a liar. I saw Juventus in my future. I don't know what position, but this (Juventus) is where I spent almost half of my life."

However, the Juventus legend has not disclosed when he will return to Turin. He still wants to spend about six months in the United States.

"I'm still connected with all of them (Juventus) and I'm very happy they are going through the season well."

"I can't wait to get back to the stadium and watch them during the Christmas holidays, but I'm not in a hurry. I'm enjoying my life here (Los Angeles) with my family," said the Old Lady legend.

Giorgio Chiellini spent the last 18 months defending the LAFC. He joined the MLS club in the summer of 2022.

The centre-back has played 45 times for the LAFC for a season and a half. He won the MLS Cup and Supporters Shield last year.

Chiellini has become a legend for Juventus for spending 18 years in Turin after moving from Livorno in 2004.

After spending one year on loan at Fiorentina, Chiellini returned to Juventus and enjoyed successful times in Turin.

During her brilliant career, she scored 561 appearances for the Old Lady and scored 36 goals.

The record brings Chiellini to third place in the list of the most appearances for Juventus. He is behind Gianluigi Buffon (685) and Alessandro Del Piero (705).

Chiellini is an important part of Juventus who won nine Serie A titles in a row between 2011/2012 and 2019/2020, once won Serie B, five Coppa Italia trophies, and twice finished runners-up in the Champions League with Juventus.

The old woman lost to Barcelona and Real Madrid in the 2015 and 2017 finals, respectively.

It didn't stop there, Chiellini also captained Italy during the 2020 European Cup while lifting the trophy for the biggest tournament of the Blue Continent.

He then decided to retire from the Italian national team's duties last summer after the match in the Finalissima, a match between the European Cup champions and Conmebol.

At that time, Chiellini led Italy to face Argentina at Wembley Stadium, England. His last game did come to a less sweet end considering the Azzurri lost 0-3 to Team Tango.

Together with Italy, Chiellini has collected 117 appearances since debuting in the senior national team in 2004.