Chiellini Contemplates Retirement

As the highly anticipated MLS Cup final between LAFC and the Columbus Crew approaches, Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini addressed the media on Thursday, shedding light on the possibility of retiring after the current MLS season. The 39-year-old, among the league's elder statesmen, expressed the internal deliberation weighing on his mind and body. When questioned about the prospect of Saturday's match being his farewell, Chiellini remarked during a press conference, "I have to understand what I need to follow: My head, my heart, or my legs, many different calls... It could be [my last game], we'll see."

Chiellini emphasized the open communication with the club, stating, "I don’t know, to be honest. The club is very open to me, and that’s important to me. I have to talk with the family and understand our goals. But I’ll stay in Los Angeles until June next year for sure. We’ll see."

With a career spanning over 700 matches at both club and international levels, Chiellini, at this juncture, must carefully evaluate the synergy of mental and physical readiness to ascertain whether he can sustain another high-level competitive year. While contemplating retirement, the Italian hinted at the possibility of a return to Juventus, a club to which he feels deeply connected, acknowledging, "I don’t want to be a liar — in my future, I see Juventus. I don’t know in what position, but it’s somewhere where I have spent almost half of my life."

As the MLS Cup showdown looms, Chiellini, with LAFC, seeks back-to-back triumphs after securing victory in the 2022 final against the

, setting the stage for a potential continuation of his illustrious career or a new chapter with his cherished Juventus.

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