Giorgio Chiellini announced his retirement from international football after Italy’s “Finalissima” match against Argentina on 1 June.
The senior centre-back, who turns 38 in August, will miss the Qatar 2022 World Cup after the Azzurri failed to qualify following a shock 1-0 loss to North Macedonia in the qualifiers last month.
Chiellini confirmed to DAZN, via Football Italia, that this summer’s farewell match for Italy will take place at Wembley Stadium, the same stadium where he led the Azzurri to winning Euro 2020.
“I will bid farewell to Nacional at Wembley, where I lived the height of my career by winning the European Championship,” Chiellini told reporters after Juventus’ 2-1 win over Sassuolo on Monday.
“I would like to say goodbye to the Azzurri with a beautiful memory. This will definitely be my last match for Italy.”
The experienced defender made his international debut in November 2004 against Finland in a 1-0 friendly match, and has since had 116 caps for Italy, with his last appearance against Argentina placing him fourth with Daniel De Rossi.
Kellini He also gave an update on his future with Juventus, indicating that he would hold talks with the club and his family at the conclusion of the current season.
“My love affair with Juventus does not end. It will never end! Love is very strong,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.
“Of course, from now until the end of the season I have to evaluate everything and talk to my family about what is best. Let’s get to fourth place first and win the Coppa Italia, then we will sit down with my family – at home and Juventus – to find out what’s best for everyone.
“It was the same last summer, I took a while and didn’t sign the new contract until after the Euro. At my age, you can’t look away from the long term, but it’s only normal, everything is fine.
“I hope you can see that I’m happy, relaxed and want to continue enjoying myself with my teammates, and then we’ll see.”
Chiellini’s current contract with Juventus expires in June 2023.
