Nearing retirement, defender Giorgio Chiellini intends to bid farewell to the Italy national team in a match against Argentina at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 1. Following an agreement between UEFA and CONMEBOL called the “Finalissima”, the game will bring together the defending champions of the Eurocup and Copa America in an unprecedented duel.
“If I am in shape by then, I will play and try to make my farewell at Wembley, where I reached the peak of my career for the national team and, perhaps, the rest of my career,” commented Chiellini. The venue where the Italian team won the Euro Cup last year.
Initially, the 37-year-old defender wanted to bid farewell to the national team after the Qatar World Cup, which will be played between November and December this year. But his team failed to qualify to play in Qatar.
A reference to the Italian national team over the past ten years, Chiellini has formed one of the best defense doubles in the team in recent decades, playing alongside Leonardo Bonucci. The veteran is the sixth player to have played the most matches for the national team, with 116 doubles under his belt.
Despite his technical and tactical qualities, Chiellini became famous at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, due to a bite from Uruguay striker Luis Suarez in a clash between the two teams.
The defender has two more years on his contract with Juventus, but he has already indicated that he may end his career with the Turin team before this deadline. There is a possibility that he will end his football career in the United States.
“By the end of the season, I need to evaluate everything, talk to my family about what is best for us. We will try to finish fourth in the table (in Serie A), the Coppa Italia. will win, and then I will sit down with my two families, me and Juventus, to define what will be best for everyone.”
