Captain Giorgio Chiellini has said goodbye to Italy’s national team with a defeat.
In the “Finalissima” the European champions lost to the South American champions Argentina 0:3 (0:2) in London’s Wembley Stadium and, after the great disappointment of missing out on a World Cup ticket, suffered another small setback.
In his 117th and last international match, defender Chiellini and his teammates had to accept the goals scored by Lautaro Martinez (28th) on assists from Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria (45th + 1).
Chiellini was substituted in the second half of an increasingly tough game, and an Italy legionnaire scored the third goal in Paulo Dybala (90+4).
Chiellini, who will turn 38 in August, announced his departure from the Squadra Azzurra, for which he made his debut in 2004, after failing to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar.
The tough central defender is also leaving Juventus after 17 years, his new employer could be Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer.
The “Finalissima” was the new edition of the Artemio Franchi Cup, officially it was about the “CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions”.
The comparison between the continental champions from Europe and South America had previously been held twice. In 1985, Michel Platini’s France defeated Uruguay 2-0 in Paris, and in 1993 Diego Maradona’s Argentina defeated Denmark 5-4 on penalties.