Giorgio Chiellini announced his retirement from international football following Italy’s ‘Finalissima’ match against Argentina on June 1.
The great center-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 playoffs last month.
Chiellini confirmed to DAZN, through Football Italia, that his farewell match for Italy will take place this summer at Wembley Stadium, the same stadium where he guided the Azzurri to Euro 2020 triumph.
“I’ll say goodbye to the Nazionale at Wembley, which is where I experienced the apex of my career winning the Euros,” Chiellini told reporters following Juventus’s 2-1 Serie A win away at Sassuolo on Monday.
“I’d like to say goodbye to the Azzurri with a nice memory. That will certainly be my last game with Italy.”
The experienced defender made his international debut in November 2004 against Finland in a 1-0 friendly, and he has since earned 116 caps for Italy, with one last appearance against Argentina putting him in joint fourth place with Danielle De Rossi.
Chiellini also offered an update on his future with Juventus, indicating that he will conduct conversations with the club and his family at the conclusion of the current season.
“My love affair with Juventus is not ending. It will never end! The love is so strong,” Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia.
“Of course, from now to the end of the season I do have to evaluate everything and talk to my family about what is best. Let’s reach fourth place first and win the Coppa Italia, then we’ll sit down with my two families – at home and Juventus – to figure out what is best for everyone.
“It was the same last summer, I took time and didn’t sign the new contract until after the Euros. At my age, you can’t look too far into the long-term, but that’s only natural, it’s all fine.
“I hope you can see that I am happy, relaxed, and want to keep enjoying myself with my teammates, then we’ll see.”
Chiellini’s current contract with Juventus expires in June 2023.
