Giorgio Chiellini could retire at the end of the season, while the match against Uruguay where Luis Suarez bit him will remain his last one at the World Cup.
The veteran defender extended his contract with Juventus until 2023 but could hang his boots earlier, following Italy’s loss against North Macedonia last night.
His previous contract with the Bianconeri had expired since a couple of weeks last summer when he captained Italy to win Euro 2020. His two-year contract extension was seen as a way to play the final World Cup in his career.
In December, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that the defender could have retired in June if Italy had missed out on a World Cup spot for the second time in a row. Last night, Chiellini said that it was not the right time to speak about his future. Surely, the veteran defender won’t play another World Cup in his career, so Italy-Uruguay at Brazil 2014 remains his last match in the competition.
‘Italy-Uruguay at Brazil 2014 remains his last match in the competition’
That was also Italy’s last game at a WC. F++K
Long overdue tbh. He’s an injury prone dinosaur.
I think it’s the exact right time. He has lost a lot of speed but is still able to be a presence that disrupts the opponent’s attacks. He could probably stay and sub from time to time but wo game time it would speed his decline. Grazie Giorgio!