Rome (AP) – With a symbolic substitution in the 17th minute for 17 years in the jersey of Juventus Turin, the Italian football champion Giorgio Chiellini was emotionally adopted by the record champions.
The 37-year-old said ciao to the Juve crowd in the 2-2 draw with Lazio, blew kisses to the crowd and hugged his team-mates as he walked off the pitch. The defender, who is also ending his national team career, may switch to the American MLS league.
“I made my debut against Messina when I came on for Pavel Nedved. That was the beginning of a long story that has brought me here. I’m going with so much joy and peace because it was a decision that has been made for months, not has matured over weeks or days,” said Chiellini on Sky Sport Italia, emphasizing: “I always said that I wanted to go at a high level, in line with my career. I achieved that.” In addition to Chiellini, the Argentinian Paulo Dybala, whose contract is expiring, was also dismissed.
Chiellini came to Turin from Fiorentina in 2005. With Juve he was nine times champion and five times cup winner, he played more than 500 competitive games. As captain of the Italian national team, he celebrated the European title last summer. On June 1, Chiellini will say goodbye to the Squadra Azzurra in the duel between the European champions and South American champions Argentina at London’s Wembley Stadium.