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Giorgio Chiellini in the shirt of the Italian national team during the Euro 2020 semi-final against Spain
Photo: LAURENCE GRIFFITHS / AFP
Captain Giorgio Chiellini has announced his retirement from the Italian national soccer team after missing out on qualifying for the World Cup.
As the 37-year-old European champion announced from Juventus Turin in the win against Sassuolo Calcio (2-1), the international match against Argentina in London in June will be his last.
Chiellini's appearances at Euro 2020 are still well remembered by many viewers.
Always grinning and patting the heads of younger opponents, he had led his team to the title with the ease of a football senior on a farewell tour.
"I will say goodbye to the national team at Wembley Stadium, where I experienced the highlight of my career by winning the European Championship," said Chiellini on DAZN.
At the same place he had won the title with the team against Spain in July.
On the way to the World Cup in Qatar (November 21 to December 18), Italy surprisingly failed in the play-off semifinals against North Macedonia (0-1).
Future at Juventus open
“I would like to say goodbye with a nice memory.
This will definitely be my last game with Italy,” said the central defender.
He left open whether he would continue his club career in the coming season.
Chiellini has played continuously for Juventus since 2005.
His contract runs until 2023.
"My love for Juventus doesn't end, it never will," he said.
He now has to "weigh everything up until the end of the season" and talk to his family about what's best.
After the Coppa Italia final on May 11 against Inter Milan, he wants to make a decision.
Chiellini made his debut for Italy in November 2004 and since then has made 116 appearances (eight goals).
Between 2012 and 2020 he was Italian champion nine times with Juventus.
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