It is the end of an era for Juventus with longtime captain Giorgio Chiellini confirming that he will leave the club after a 17-year run.
Chiellini will play in the final two games for Juventus in their Serie A season but did not confirm whether he will continue to play going forward.
“I’ve done all I can, I hope I’ve left something behind,” Chiellini told Italian broadcaster Mediaset after Juventus’ 4-2 loss to Inter Milan in the Collpa Italia final. “We had these 10 magnificent years – it is up to the others to continue now.
“On Monday, I will say goodbye to my Juventus Stadium, then if I have still got something in the tank, might have a run-out in Florence. It is 100 per cent my decision.”
Chiellini joined Juventus in 2005 from Fiorentina, playing in 423 Serie A matches, and finished with 26 career goals and 18 assists. He was instrumental in Juventus’ dominant run in Italy’s top-flight winning 19 trophies, including nine consecutive Scudettos from 2011 to 2020.
Chiellini admitted that Inter was the better team in the Coppa Italia final and hopes that the disappointment of not winning a trophy for the first time in a decade will lead to a desire for things to change.
“I think Inter showed during the season they are stronger in all the matches we played against them. And we were lacking something. And I hope the anger of losing three out of four games against Inter will fire us up for next season,” Chiellini said.
“I’m sad to be going after a year without a trophy, but after 10 years I think it can be accepted. But that should stay with us for the next few years.”
The Pisa native also announced in April that he was retiring from the Italian national team when the Azzurri play a friendly against Argentina at Wembley Stadium in June.
Fabrizio Romano reported that the 37-year-old defender has received interest from two MLS clubs, including Los Angeles FC. His contract with “The Old Lady” expires in June.
If Chiellini decides to make the jump to MLS, he would be the second Serie A player to make the move after Lorenzo Insigne signed with Toronto FC.
“I don’t know,” Chiellini said on his club future. “I need to think about it with my family.
“I am happy to leave at such a high level, because for many years I have said I didn’t want to finish struggling and not being able to play at my level.
“I gave it my all. Soon, I will be the biggest Juventus fan from the outside. After so many years within this club, you cannot shake it off.”