Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini’s good humour and joy at playing in UEFA EURO 2020 has inspired Germans to coin a new word in his honour: Chiellinigkeit.
The Juventus defender said he would be enjoying every minute of the tournament and he set the mood for his teammates on their way to lifting the trophy.
His smiles in press conferences, during training and famously when joshing with Spain captain Jordi Alba just before what was meant to be a tense semi-final penalty shoot-out really impressed the Germans.
Now German paper Zeit has even coined a new word in his honour: Chiellinigkeit.
The definition is the ability to experience the lighter side of life, to do your job while at the same time enjoying it as much as possible.
Chiellini’s approach to life and his work inspired the Germans and made the 36-year-old a new hero, setting the tone for how to relish your work.