Giorgio Chiellini ends an “unbelievable” international career on Wednesday when European champions, Italy, take on Copa America winners, Argentina, in the Finalissima match at Wembley.
The game comes close to 11 months after Chiellini lifted the Euro 2020 trophy into the London sky in the same stadium, and shortly after he ended his long club career at Juventus after 17 years.
“I fulfilled my biggest dream,” the 37-year-old defender said at his last national team press conference ahead of what will be his 117th cap, looking back at the Euro title.
“As a child, I never thought or imagined of coming this far,” he said.
Chiellini came to Juventus via Liverno and Fiorentina, and won nine Serie A titles and five Italian Cups with the Turin club.
But there were also two lost UEFA Champions League finals, and Italy did also not shine at the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 editions.
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Chiellini has made it into the World Cup history books, but only as the victim of Luis Suarez’ infamous bite in 2014.
“Of course, I would have liked to rewrite my story with world championships but unfortunately that didn’t happen,” he said.
According to dpa, the magical run to the Euro title last year at least partly made up for it, and Chiellini must now decide what he will do after Wednesday.
There is speculation he may continue playing in the U.S. but Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has already said “we will miss him, on and off the pitch”.
Father of two Chiellini, who has a Master’s degree in Business Administration, has been praised for his friendly appearance and said he saw himself as a motivator and “big brother” for others.
That will be for the last time on Wednesday as he said “I always wanted to quit at the top level. And I have managed that now”.
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