Motivator and “big brother”
Chiellini would certainly have gone into football retirement satisfied and happy even without this success. Over the course of his career, he had learned to recognize his job as a great privilege. What he will do after leaving the national team and Juventus has not been decided. Maybe he’ll be drawn a little further away for the added time of his active career, the American one MLS lures. After the “Finalissima”, however, a visit to Disneyland with the two daughters is on the agenda for the first time.
“We will miss him, on and off the pitch”said goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma about his EURO captain. “He is a point of reference for all football in Italy and around the world, especially for us young players.” Chiellini saw himself as a motivator and “big brother”; his approachable and cordial manner distinguished him.
Of course, the opponent didn’t always like it: when Chiellini joked with Jordi Alba in the semi-finals of the European Championship before the penalty shoot-out, punched him and then even pushed him into a hug, Spain’s captain turned away, visibly annoyed.
“It wasn’t a tactic. I’m enjoying every moment”said Chiellini. He’ll do the same against Argentina at Wembley. “I always wanted to finish at a high level”he said. “And now I’ve done that.”
Source: dpa