Giorgio Chiellini admits he has not yet decided whether to continue with Juventus, retire or resume his career elsewhere next season. ‘I will sit down with my two families and figure out what is best for everyone, but my last Italy game will be against Argentina.’
The centre-back will turn 38 in August and his current contract is due to run until June 2023.
However, that was signed before Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, so the situation may well have changed and he is reconsidering his options.
Serie A | Sassuolo 1-2 Juventus: Dybala and Kean close on third place
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after this evening’s 2-1 Serie A win away to Sassuolo, Chiellini was asked if his love affair with Juventus was coming to an end.
“My love affair with Juventus is not ending. It will never end! The love is so strong that as far as I am concerned, but also I think them, it will never end,” he laughed.
“Of course, from now to the end of the season I do have to evaluate everything, talk to my family about what is best.
“Let’s reach fourth place first and win the Coppa Italia, then we’ll sit down with my two families – at home and Juventus – to figure out what is best for everyone.
“It was the same last summer, I took time and didn’t sign the new contract until after the Euros. At my age, you can’t look too far into the long-term, but that’s only natural, it’s all fine.
“I hope you can see that I am happy, relaxed and want to keep enjoying myself with my teammates, then we’ll see.”
Chiellini has been at Juventus since 2005, previously representing Livorno and Fiorentina.
He came off the bench at the Mapei Stadium for his 22nd competitive appearance of the campaign, taking his total Juventus tally to 556 matches.
Chiellini also spoke to DAZN and confirmed his international retirement after the clash between Italy and Argentina at Wembley Stadium in June.
“I’ll say goodbye to the Nazionale at Wembley, which is where I experienced the apex of my career winning the Euros.
“I’d like to say goodbye to the Azzurri with a nice memory. That will certainly be my last game with Italy.”
Un successo che vale tanto! Forza Juve! Avanti così!!!#SassuoloJuve pic.twitter.com/p0OPXGLetd
— Giorgio Chiellini (@chiellini) April 25, 2022
Will be a sad day when he retires, been an absolute rock for many years, If I was mancini I would go with Bastoni Scalvini Gatti Lovato Okoli Viti Casale ect for the future, Scalvini looks very strong, fingers crossed
It’s too bad his last game will be a humiliating loss
Bye.
I hate Juventus, but have the deepest respect for Chiellini
Legend! How we all wish he was only 28 and not 38.
Only three Azurri players from the twenty-first century would make the squad for the all-time best: Chiellini, Buffon, and Pirlo.