Giorgio Chiellini announces his retirement from professional football. The defender had been playing at MLS team LAFC for the past 18 months, after joining them in 2022 from Juventus.

A statement on social media on Tuesday read: “You have been the most beautiful and intense journey of my life. You have been my everything. With you I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path. But now it is time to start new chapters, face new challenges and write further important and exciting pages of life.” Chiellini played in Juventus and had a great time in Turin. He played in 561 games, which put him third on the club’s all-time list of appearances, behind Gianluigi Buffon (685) and Alessandro Del Piero (705).

Chiellini was an important part of the Juventus team that won nine straight Serie A titles from 2011–12 to 2019–20. He also won a Serie B league title and five Coppa Italia titles. The Italian also came in second place twice in the Champions League with Juventus, losing to Barcelona in 2015 and Real Madrid in 2017.

Source: The Athletic