Giorgio Chiellini

Giorgio Chiellini Ufficiale OMRI (Italian pronunciation: [ˈdʒordʒo kjelˈliːni, ˈdʒɔr-]; born 14 August 1984) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC. Considered one of the best defenders of his generation, Chiellini is known for his strength, aggressiveness and man-marking, as well as his ability to play in either a three or four-man defence.[4][5] He has also played as a left-back earlier in his career.

Giorgio Chiellini
Chiellini in 2021
Personal information
Full name Giorgio Chiellini[1]
Date of birth (1984-08-14) 14 August 1984[2]
Place of birth Pisa, Italy
Height 1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)[3]
Position(s) Defender
Club information
Current team
 Los Angeles FC
Number 14
Youth career
1990–2000 Livorno
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2002 Livorno 8 (0)
2002–2004 Roma 0 (0)
2002–2004 → Livorno (loan) 47 (4)
2004–2022 Juventus 425 (27)
2004–2005 → Fiorentina (loan) 37 (3)
2022– Los Angeles FC 11 (0)
National team
2000 Italy U15 8 (0)
2000–2001 Italy U16 12 (2)
2001 Italy U17 1 (0)
2002 Italy U18 6 (1)
2001–2003 Italy U19 18 (1)
2004–2007 Italy U21 26 (6)
2004 Italy Olympic 2 (0)
2004–2022 Italy 117 (8)
Honours
Men's Football
Representing  Italy
UEFA European Championship
Winner2020 Europe
Runner-up2012 Poland–Ukraine
FIFA Confederations Cup
2013 Brazil
Summer Olympics
2004
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner2003 Liechtenstein
UEFA Nations League
2021 Italy


CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Runner-up2022 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 03:00, 10 October 2022 (UTC)

At club level, Chiellini began his career with Livorno in 2000, also later playing for Fiorentina, before moving to Juventus in 2005. With Juventus, he has won a record-nine consecutive Serie A titles from 2012 to 2020, as well as five Coppa Italia titles and five Supercoppa Italiana titles, having also played two UEFA Champions League finals in 2015 and 2017. Chiellini has been named in the Serie A Team of the Year five times: in 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18 and 2018–19 and has been awarded the Serie A Defender of the Year also three times: in 2008, 2009 and 2010.[6][7][8][9]

Having made his international debut for Italy in 2004, Chiellini was selected in the nation's squads for the 2004 Summer Olympics, winning a bronze medal, as well as for four UEFA European Championships, two FIFA World Cups and two FIFA Confederations Cups, helping the Azzurri to win UEFA Euro 2020, reach the final of UEFA Euro 2012, and achieve a third-place finish at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. He retired from international football in 2022 with 117 caps, making him Italy's joint fourth-highest appearance holder.

Club career

Livorno

Chiellini joined the youth teams at Livorno at age six and started out as a central midfielder. As he matured, he switched to playing as a winger and finally he found his position as a left back. He played in the club's youth academy between 1990 and 2000. In 2000, he took part in Torneo di Arco as a squad player for AC Milan's U-17 team as a part of his trial; despite rated satisfactory by the youth coach Davide Ballardini, he did not receive an offer to join the team permanently.[10] In the 2000–01 Serie C1 season, Chiellini started to receive his first call-ups to the senior team and eventually made three appearances and followed that up with five more appearances the following season.

In June 2002, Chiellini was signed by Roma in a co-ownership deal, for €3.1 million, (who also saw Marco Amelia, move in the opposite direction, for €2.8 million)[11] however, he was loaned back to Livorno for the 2002–03 Serie B season, after they had earned promotion. In his first Serie B season, Chiellini made six seasonal appearances, also making his Coppa Italia debut. In his second Serie B season, Chiellini broke into the starting line-up for the club, and would go on to make 42 official appearances, also scoring four goals from his left back position.

In June 2004, Livorno officially bought back Chiellini for €3 million.[12] During his four-season spell with the clubs' first team, Chiellini made a total of 57 appearances, scoring four goals, before his transfer to Juventus.

Fiorentina

Chiellini was signed by Juventus in the summer 2004 for €6.5 million from Livorno,[13] but was immediately sold in a co-ownership deal to Fiorentina for €3.5 million, and played on the Florentine team during the 2004–05 Serie A season. The complex deal actually meant Juventus bought Roma's half for €3 million and Fiorentina bought Livorno's half for €3.5 million. In his loan season with the club, Chiellini was a regular in the club's starting XI, making 42 official appearances, also scoring three goals.

2005–2011: Early years, Calciopoli and struggles
Chiellini with Juventus in 2009

After an excellent first season in Serie A, Chiellini was recalled for the 2005–06 season and Juventus paid €4.3 million for the rest of his contract. He became a regular under Fabio Capello and made 23 appearances in his first season with the club, also helping the Old Lady to their 29th scudetto (which was later assigned to Inter following the 2006 "Calciopoli" scandal).

While in the Serie B, he started playing at centre back, partnering Nicola Legrottaglie, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Robert Kovač at various stages of the season. Juventus won the 2006–07 Serie B title, gaining Serie A promotion with the best goal difference, conceding only 30 goals and scoring over 80 in 42 matches. He scored a double in a 5–1 thrashing at Arezzo in May, a result that mathematically sealed promotion for Juventus.

With Juventus back in Serie A for the 2007–08 season, Chiellini again was a starter for the club at left back, but following injuries to Jorge Andrade and Domenico Criscito, he was shifted to centre back again. Chiellini had a tremendous season and eventually made the position his own. Alongside fellow centre-half Nicola Legrottaglie, the duo were instrumental as Juventus finished the season with the joint second-best defensive record. The surprising aspect of this is that neither were considered remotely close to pinning down a centre back position in the summer before the season, with Domenico Criscito and Jorge Andrade preferred as the starting duo. He has been a regular fixture in the Juventus backline since their return to Serie A and was notably named Man of the Match in a game against Juventus rivals, Internazionale when he won a physical and heated duel with former teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović, keeping the Swedish striker at bay. Chiellini extended his original contract from until 2009 to 2011 on 12 October 2006.[14] On 27 April 2008, Chiellini scored twice for Juventus in 5–2 win over Lazio that confirmed Juventus's place in the Serie A top four.[15] on 26 June 2008, Chiellini extended his contract with Juventus until 2013.[16]

During the 2008–09 season, Chiellini remained as first choice in central defence alongside Nicola Legrottaglie. Chiellini scored his first goal in Europe on 13 August 2008 as Juve beat Artmedia Petržalka 4–0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie.[17] Four days later, he injured his left knee again during the Trofeo Luigi Berlusconi against AC Milan and missed the start of the Serie A season,[18] returning to duty in September starting in each of Juve's first three Champions League group games. At the end of the year, he was named Serie A Defender of the Year for 2008 at the annual Oscar del Calcio awards ceremony. On 10 March 2009, Chiellini was sent off for a second bookable offense during the Champions League first knockout round second leg tie at home in a tightly contested match against Chelsea, but Juventus were eliminated 3–2 on aggregate after holding the former English champions to a 2–2 draw.

An injury sustained in the win over Fiorentina on 6 March 2010 sidelined him for several important games and, in his absence, Juventus embarked on a miserable run of form, conceding nine goals in the four games he missed.[19] He marked his return by scoring the opening goal away at Napoli but was unable to prevent Juventus from succumbing to a 3–1 defeat.[20] On 23 November 2010, Chiellini extended his contract with Juventus again until 30 June 2015 and was given a pay raise.[21]

During the beginning of the 2010–11 season, Chiellini was mostly partnered with newly signed youngster Leonardo Bonucci. With the arrival of fellow Italy international Andrea Barzagli in the winter transfer window, Chiellini occasionally played at left back to accommodate the Bonucci-Barzagli partnership and sometimes partnered Barzagli.

2011–2014: First scudetto and domestic dominance
Chiellini playing for the Bianconeri in 2012

Under manager Antonio Conte, Chiellini returned to his original position at left back due to Barzagli and Bonucci's good run of form. After struggling to re-adapt back to his former position, he grew into his role and managed to keep Paolo De Ceglie, the only other natural left back in the squad, on the bench for much of the first half of the 2011–12 season. In the second half of the 2011–12 season, Conte switched to a three-man defence, where Chiellini partnered Bonucci and Barzagli in a very successful defensive system for Juve, who ended the season as Serie A champions, with the best defensive record, as well as being unbeaten in the league.[22] Due to their performances together, the three-man defence earned the nickname BBC, a reference to the players' initials,[23] and soon the trio established themselves as one of the best defences in world football during the following seasons.[24][25][26] Juventus lost the 2012 Coppa Italia Final against Napoli, but would later defeat them in the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana, although Chiellini would miss the match.[27]

Chiellini made his 250th appearance with Juventus on 22 September 2012, on his first appearance of the 2012–13 season after coming back from injury, in a 2–0 home win over Chievo.[28] On 1 March 2013, after coming back from another injury suffered in mid-December, he scored a header in a 1–1 draw over Napoli at the San Paolo stadium, which allowed Juventus to keep their 6-point lead over Napoli, who were in second place.[29] Juventus retained the Serie A title and the Supercoppa Italiana that season, once again finishing the year with the best defensive record in Italy.[30][31] Chiellini was the only Italian player to be nominated for the 2013 UEFA Team of the Year.[32]

On 6 October 2013, Chiellini scored in Juventus's 3–2 win over Milan, scoring the match winning goal; the next day he announced the renewal of his contract with Juventus, which would keep him at the club until 2017.[33] He made his 300th appearance with Juventus in a 3–0 Serie A victory against Roma on 5 January 2014,[34] as he went on to win his third consecutive league title with Juventus that season.[35]

2014–2018: Continued domestic success and two Champions League finals

In the 2014 Supercoppa Italiana on 22 December 2014, Juventus were defeated by Napoli on penalties after a 2–2 draw following extra-time; Chiellini missed one of Juventus's spot-kicks in the resulting shoot-out.[36] On 20 May, Chiellini captained Juventus in the club's 2–1 win over Lazio in the 2015 Coppa Italia Final, also scoring Juventus's first goal of the night.[37]

On 4 June 2015, it was confirmed that Chiellini would not participate in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final against Barcelona as a scan on his left leg revealed he had a first degree calf muscle tear.[38] In the absence of Chiellini, Juventus were defeated 3–1 by Barcelona at Berlin's Olympiastadion.[39]

Chiellini (centre), Juventus' captain during the 2016 Coppa Italia Final, receives the trophy by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella (right).

Chiellini was ruled out of the 2015 Supercoppa Italiana after sustaining an injury in a 2–1 away friendly victory over Lechia Gdańsk on 29 July, which kept him sidelined for three weeks.[40] On 24 November, Chiellini was nominated for the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year.[41]

On 9 February 2016, it was confirmed that Chiellini would miss the Serie A match on 13 February against Napoli, as well as the first round of 16 leg of the Champions League on 23 February against Bayern Munich due to an injury.[42] Chiellini returned to action on 28 February to take on rivals Internazionale, yet again sustaining an injury to his thigh which caused him to limp off the pitch and substituted off in the 35th minute.[43] After already having missed the first round of 16 leg against Bayern, there was further doubt as to if he would miss the second leg as well on 16 March. However, after medical testing it was estimated he would only be out for ten days, initially thought to only miss the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Internazionale on 2 March and a Serie A match against Atalanta on 6 March;[43][44] he wouldn't be fit for the second round of 16 leg of the Champions League, and missed the match.[45] He returned from injury on 2 April, starting in a 1–0 home win over Empoli,[46] but sustained yet another injury to his adductor longus muscle in his right thigh before being substituted off in the 54th minute of that match; further tests in the following days revealed he would be out for 20 days.[47] He returned to action once again in a 2–1 away defeat to Verona, on 8 May.[48] After constant injury spells throughout the season, Chiellini scored in the last match of the season on 14 May in the 77th minute of a 5–0 home win over Sampdoria, as Juventus celebrated winning the league title for a fifth consecutive time since the 2011–12 season; this was Chiellini's 400th appearance for Juventus.[49][50] On 21 May, Chiellini captained Juventus in the 2016 Coppa Italia Final in Rome; he played a key role in a 1–0 extra-time victory over Milan (the club's eleventh Coppa Italia title in total), helping his team to defend the title and keep a clean sheet.[51] He later lifted the trophy as Juventus became the first Italian club ever to win consecutive domestic doubles.[52][53]

"It's actually better to have Chiellini."

—In an interview with Tuttosport, Federico Bernardeschi underlined that despite the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, everyone wanted Chiellini on their team in training games.[54]

On 26 October 2016, Chiellini scored two goals in a 4–1 home win over Sampdoria after three weeks out due to injury.[55] On 23 December, Chiellini scored the opening goal in the Supercoppa Italiana against Milan, but it ended in defeat as Milan won 4–3 in penalty shoot-out following a 1–1 draw after extra time.[56]

On 28 April, he made his 300th appearance in Serie A with Juventus in a 2–2 away draw against Atalanta.[57] On 3 June, after Chiellini missed out on the 2015 Champions League Final, he started in the 2017 final, Juventus' second final appearance in three years, but were defeated 4–1 by defending champions Real Madrid.[58]

On 12 September 2017, Chiellini missed the opening 2017–18 Champions League group stage match of the season against Barcelona, due to a calf injury.[59]

On 11 January 2018, Chiellini was named to the 2017 UEFA Team of the Year.[60] He made his 350th appearance in Serie A in a 0–0 away draw against S.P.A.L., on 17 March.[61]

2018–2022: Juventus captain and ninth consecutive Serie A title
Chiellini with Juventus in 2021

On 29 June 2018, Chiellini was given a two-year contract extension until 2020 and also named the club's new captain after the departure of Buffon.[62][63]

On 16 January 2019, Chiellini lifted his first title as Juventus's new official captain – the Supercoppa Italiana – following a 1–0 victory over Milan.[64] On 12 March, Chiellini marked his 500th appearance in a Juventus jersey with a 3–0 win home to Atlético Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 second leg to overturn a 2–0 deficit to reach the quarter-finals.[65] Juventus ended the season as league champions, with Chiellini capturing his record eighth Serie A title with the club.[66]

On 24 August, in Juventus's opening match of the 2019–20 season against Parma, Chiellini scored the only goal of the match in a 1–0 away win in Serie A.[67] On 30 August, Chiellini tore his anterior cruciate ligament during training.[68] He returned on 16 February 2020, in a match against Brescia, replacing Leonardo Bonucci in the 78th minute.[69] On 29 June, Chiellini signed a new contract with Juventus, extending until June 2021.[70]

On 20 October 2020, Chiellini made his 71st Champions League appearance with Juventus in the team's opening European game of the season, a 2–0 away win over Dynamo Kyiv, overtaking Alessio Tacchinardi as the club's third–most capped player of all time in the competition; however, he suffered an injury during the first half and was replaced by Merih Demiral.[71]

On 2 August 2021, Chiellini renewed his contract with Juventus, signing a two-year contract extension until June 2023.[72] However, after losing the 2022 Coppa Italia Final, Chiellini announced that he would leave Juventus at the end of the season.[73]

Los Angeles FC

On 13 June 2022, Chiellini agreed to join Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC on a contract through 2023 using Targeted Allocation Money.[74] On 17 July, 2022, Chiellini made his debut during a 2–1 win against Nashville SC and was substituted at the 60th minute.[75]

International career

Chiellini represented Italy at all youth levels, and he won the European Under-19 Championship with Italy in 2003,[76] and was also a member of the Italy team that won the bronze medal at the football tournament of the 2004 Summer Olympics. He participated in the 2006 and 2007 U-21 Championships as Italy's captain, scoring 2 goals over both tournaments, although Italy were eliminated in the group stage on both occasions. He was named in the 'UEFA Team of the tournament' of the 2007 U-21 Championships held in the Netherlands,[77] where Italy also obtained qualification for the 2008 Summer Olympics. In total, he made 26 appearances for the Under-21 side, scoring 6 goals.

2004–2008: Early senior career and Euro 2008

He made his debut for the Italian national team on 17 November 2004 against Finland under Marcello Lippi, at the age of 20.[78] He became a regular squad member since 2007 and he scored his first goal for Italy on 21 November 2007, against the Faroe Islands, in Modena, in a UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying match.[79]

Chiellini was called up to Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2008 under manager Roberto Donadoni, and injured captain Fabio Cannavaro in a collision during a training session, that resulted in Cannavaro missing out on the tournament.[80][81] He was sidelined in the opening game against the Netherlands, which Italy went on to lose 3–0.[82] He subsequently received the nod to partner Christian Panucci at centre-back from the second game onwards, cementing his place in the Azzurri defence;[83] in the second group match of the tournament, he assisted Panucci's equaliser in a 1–1 draw against Romania.[84] While he also featured in the final group game, keeping a clean-sheet in a 2–0 win against France,[85] his most impressive display was arguably against Spain in the quarter-finals, where he famously neutralised the threat of the Spanish attacking duo of David Villa and Fernando Torres. The game ended 0–0, with Italy eventually losing 4–2 on penalties.[86]

2008–2014: Euro 2012 runners-up
Chiellini with the Italian national team in 2011

During 2010 World Cup qualifying, Chiellini cemented his place as an undisputed first-choice in Marcello Lippi's squad. He played the full 90 minutes in all three group matches at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup but Italy were eliminated at the group stages on goal difference.[87] He was also the starting Italy centre back, along with Cannavaro, in the 2010 World Cup, although Italy disappointed and exited in the first round, finishing in last place in their group with two points, and failing to win a match or keep a clean sheet.[88]

Under Cesare Prandelli, Chiellini was once again the starting centre back during Italy's UEFA Euro 2012 qualifying campaign. Along with Juventus teammates Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, and also Daniele De Rossi, he started in defence for Italy in the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament, after recovering from an injury he had encountered during the final Serie A game of the season.[89] He suffered another injury in Italy's final group match against Ireland, which ended in a 2–0 win, ruling him out of the quarter-final fixture against England;[90] he returned to the starting line-up for Italy's 2–1 semi-final victory over Germany.[91] Italy reached the final, but were defeated once again by Spain, suffering a 4–0 loss. Despite suffering a minor injury in the semi-final, Chiellini started as left back in the final, but was substituted after sustaining yet another injury; Spain's first goal of the match arose from his mistake, due to his precarious physical condition.[91][92]

On 14 November 2012, in a 2–1 friendly defeat to France, Chiellini wore the captain's armband with Italy for the first time in his career.[93]

On 22 June 2013, Chiellini scored his third goal for Italy against Brazil in the 2013 Confederations Cup in a 2–4 defeat, a low shot to the net after the referee Ravshan Irmatov had initially signaled for a penalty kick to Italy.[94] Italy managed to finish the tournament in third place, following a 3–2 penalty shootout win over Uruguay in the bronze medal match.[95]

Chiellini (right) challenges Cesc Fàbregas of Spain during the UEFA Euro 2012 Final.

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying fixture against the Czech Republic, at the Juventus Stadium in Turin, on 10 September 2013, Chiellini scored Italy's first goal in a 2–1 home win, which allowed the nation to clinch the top spot in their group and qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with two games at hand; this was the first time that the Italian squad had done so.[96]

During the 2014 World Cup, in Italy's final group stage game against Uruguay, Chiellini, while defending Luis Suárez in the penalty area, was bitten in the left shoulder by Suárez from behind. It was Suárez's third career biting incident. As the Italian players protested to the Mexican referee Marco Antonio Rodríguez for not penalizing Suárez, Uruguay won a corner and scored, winning 1–0 to qualify for the last 16 and eliminating Italy.[97][98][99] As a result, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee launched an investigation into the incident. On 26 June, The FIFA Disciplinary Committee announced that Suárez would be suspended for nine matches and banned from any football activity (including entering any stadium) for four months. Suárez was also fined CHF100,000 (approx. £65,700/€82,000/US$119,000).[100][101] Even so, Chiellini expressed his view that the four-month ban on Suárez for all football-related activities including was "excessive".[102] "There only remains the anger and the disappointment about the match. At the moment, my only thought is for Luis and his family, because they will face a very difficult period." Chiellini said after the game, noting that he hoped Suarez would be allowed to remain with his teammates during World Cup games, "because such a ban is really alienating for a player."[102] Chiellini wrote in his autobiography that he could sympathsize with Suarez's competitive determination.

[Luis] Suarez and I are similar and I like facing strikers like him. I called him a couple of days after the game, but he had no need to apologise to me. I too am a son of a b*tch on the field and proud of it.[103]

2014–2016: Euro 2016 campaign

On 10 October 2014 in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Azerbaijan in Palermo, Chiellini put Italy ahead with a first-half header. He then scored a late own goal, but headed a winner three minutes from time to give Italy a 2–1 victory.[104] Italy qualified for Euro 2016 on 10 October of the following year after a 3–1 win over Azerbaijan.[105] On 17 November 2015, Chiellini made his 82nd appearance for Italy in a 2–2 friendly home draw against Romania, overtaking Franco Baresi, Giuseppe Bergomi, and Marco Tardelli as Italy's tenth most capped player of all time.[106][107] On 31 May 2016, Chiellini was named to Conte's 23-man Italy squad for Euro 2016.[108] Playing alongside Bonucci and Barzagli, Chiellini drew praise for his defensive performances, as he helped Italy keep clean-sheets in both of their opening two victories over Belgium and Sweden, which enabled the nation to top their group and advance to the second round.[24] Having been booked for a tactical foul in Italy's opening match on 13 June,[109] Chiellini was rested for Italy's final group match against Ireland on 22 June, which ended in a 1–0 defeat.[110] In the round of 16 at Stade de France in Paris on 27 June, he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win over reigning European champions Spain and helped Italy record their third clean-sheet of the tournament.[111] Italy were eliminated from the competition in a 6–5 penalty shoot-out defeat to reigning World Cup champions Germany in the quarter-finals, on 2 July.[112]

2016–2017: 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign

In Italy's opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Israel on 5 September 2016, Chiellini earned his 90th international cap, but was later given his first ever national team red card after a second bookable offense in the 55th minute of an eventual 3–1 away win; causing him to miss the next group match against Spain on 6 October, an eventual 1–1 draw.[113]

Chiellini also missed the return match against Spain on 2 September 2017, an eventual 3–0 away loss, as well as the return march against Israel on 5 September, an eventual 1–0 home win, with a calf injury.[114] On 9 October, Chiellini made his 94th appearance for Italy in a 1–0 away victory over Albania in a World Cup qualifier, equalling Giacinto Facchetti as the nation's joint-eighth highest appearance holder of all time.[115][116] Italy finished in Group G in second place behind Spain, and advanced to the play-off against Sweden. Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after a 1–0 aggregate loss to Sweden.[117] The second leg, a 0–0 home draw on 13 November, was initially thought to be his final international appearance, as Chiellini announced his retirement from the national team immediately after the match.[118][119]

2018–2022: Captaincy and Euro 2020 triumph
President of Italy Sergio Mattarella (right) congratulate Chiellini (carrying the trophy) in Rome, the day after Italy's UEFA Euro 2020 triumph

On 17 March 2018, despite Chiellini's initial decision to retire, he was called up for the March 2018 friendlies against Argentina and England by interim manager Luigi Di Biagio.[120] After sustaining an injury, however, he was dropped from the squad, and Angelo Ogbonna was called up in his place.[121]

He was once again called up to the national team in September 2018, by manager Roberto Mancini, for Italy's opening UEFA Nations League matches against Poland and Portugal later that month.[122] Chiellini was also named the new captain of the Italian national team following Gianluigi Buffon's international retirement.[123][124] He subsequently wore the captain's armband in Italy's 1–1 home draw against Poland on 7 September, in their UEFA Nations League opener.[125] On 11 October, he made his 98th appearance for Italy in a 1–1 friendly draw against Ukraine in Genoa, equalling Gianluca Zambrotta as his nation's joint-seventh highest appearance holder of all time.[126] On 17 November, he made his 100th appearance for Italy in a 0–0 draw against Portugal at the San Siro stadium in Milan, in his team's final UEFA Nations League match.[127]

In June 2021, Chiellini was included in Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020.[128] In the opening match on 11 June, a 3–0 win over Turkey, he became the oldest player to appear for Italy at the European Championships, at the age of 36 years, 301 days.[129] In their second group match against Switzerland in Rome on 16 June, he had a goal disallowed for an apparent handball and was later forced off in the first half due to injury, being replaced by Francesco Acerbi; Italy won the match 3–0, allowing them to advance to the round of 16 of the tournament.[130] Chiellini would however recover from his injury,[131] starting in Italy's 2–1 victory over Belgium in the quarter-finals on 2 July.[132] He subsequently went on to captain Italy to its second ever European Championship victory on 11 July,[133] following a 3–2 penalty shoot-out victory over England in the final at Wembley Stadium after a 1–1 draw in extra time.[134]

On 25 April 2022, Chiellini announced that he would retire from the Italy national team after the 2022 Finalissima against reigning Copa América champions Argentina on 1 June.[135] During the match, he made his final and 117th international appearance, equalling Daniele De Rossi as the team's fourth–most capped player of all time; Italy were defeated 3–0 at Wembley Stadium, with Chiellini coming off at half time.[136]

Style of play
Chiellini defending Didier Drogba in 2013

Chiellini began his professional career as a defensive-minded left-back, but later made his name as an aggressive, courageous, physical, and hard-tackling centre-back, with a penchant for scoring headers from set-pieces, due to his height, aerial prowess, athleticism, and strength. A versatile, consistent, commanding, and dependable left-footed defender, with good awareness, positional sense, and an ability to read the game, he is capable of playing both in a three or four-man defence.[90][137][138][139][140][141][142][143] A hard-working player, he is also known for his ability to cover ground and put pressure on or anticipate opponents in positions higher up on the pitch.[139][141][144][145][146]

Regarded as a promising defender in his youth,[147] he came to be considered one of the best defenders in world football,[148][144][149][150][151] one of the greatest defenders of his generation,[152] and one of Juventus's greatest defenders ever.[153] In 2018, his Juventus manager at the time – Massimiliano Allegri – described him as "the best defender in the world."[154] Regarding Chiellini's strength and man-marking ability, his former Livorno manager Walter Mazzarri once labeled him as "a force of nature", also adding "he's a universal player that any coach would love to have on his team.[155] He is from another planet; he can mark three players by himself."[137][156]

Due to his tenacious, no-nonsense playing style, Chiellini has been described as an "old-fashioned" centre-back, who primarily serves as a ball-winner;[141][157][158] his physicality and aggression as a defender, as well as his trademark goal celebration, which involves him beating his chest, have earned him the nickname "King Kong".[139][159][160][161] Although he is not particularly skilful or elegant from a technical standpoint,[138][145][162][163][164][165][166][161][167] he possesses good vision[168] and reliable distribution, which allows him to play the ball out or launch attacks from the back after winning back possession.[141][169][170][171][172][173]

A popular figure with fans, he is also known for his dedication and vocal leadership on the pitch, and was Juventus's long-time vice captain, behind Gianluigi Buffon; following Buffon's departure in 2018, Chiellini was appointed the team's new captain.[63][145][162][174] With Andrea Barzagli's retirement, the subsequent Bonucci-Chiellini axis was considered, in terms of longevity and performance at high levels, one of the most solid and complementary in international football, as well as being compared to duets from the past such as Beckenbauer-Schwarzenbeck, Scirea-Gentile or Baresi-Costacurta.[175] He has also proved to be popular captain with the Italian national team, stating that a captain's role was to ease the tension for the rest of the team during important moments.[176] Although he is not known for his pace over short distances,[164][165] he is also a mobile defender.[166] Moreover, he possesses a strong mentality, good temperament under pressure, determination, and excellent concentration, as well as an ability to organise his back-line.[138][139][177] Despite his ability as a defender, he has often struggled with injuries in recent seasons.[178]

Personal life

Chiellini was raised in Livorno[139] and is one of twin boys.[179] He completed a laurea (bachelor's degree) in economics and commerce at the University of Turin in July 2010,[139][180][181] and earned a laurea magistrale (master's degree) in business administration in April 2017 from the same institution, graduating cum laude (with honours).[182][183] Chiellini also speaks English fluently.[184][185]

In July 2014, Chiellini married his long-time girlfriend Carolina Bonistalli at a private Catholic ceremony at the Sanctuary of Montenero in Livorno.[186] The couple have two daughters: Nina born July 2015, and Olivia born June 2019.[187][188][189] That same year, he published a book, C'è un angelo bianconero. Il mio maestro si chiama Scirea.[190]

Chiellini features in EA Sports' FIFA video game series; he was on the covers of the Italian editions of FIFA 10, alongside global cover star Ronaldinho,[191] and FIFA 11, alongside global cover star Kaká.[192]

Throughout the 2017–18 season, Chiellini appeared in the Netflix docu-series First Team: Juventus.[193]

In 2020, Chiellini released his autobiography Io, Giorgio, with the profits going to the insuperabili charity during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. However, Chiellini attracted controversy due to his strong criticism of his former club and international teammates Felipe Melo and Mario Balotelli in his book.[190][194][195]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 30 October 2022[196]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Livorno 2000–01 Serie C1 3010——40
2001–02 Serie C1 5080—20150
Total 80900020190
Livorno (loan) 2002–03 Serie B 6010——70
2003–04 Serie B 41410——424
Total 474200000494
Fiorentina (loan) 2004–05 Serie A 37350——423
Juventus 2005–06 Serie A 170006[lower-alpha 1]000230
2006–07 Serie B 32331——354
2007–08 Serie A 30320——323
2008–09 Serie A 274108[lower-alpha 1]1—365
2009–10 Serie A 324206[lower-alpha 2]1—405
2010–11 Serie A 322209[lower-alpha 3]2—434
2011–12 Serie A 34230——372
2012–13 Serie A 241008[lower-alpha 1]000321
2013–14 Serie A 3131011[lower-alpha 4]01[lower-alpha 5]1444
2014–15 Serie A 2804112[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 5]0451
2015–16 Serie A 241406[lower-alpha 1]000341
2016–17 Serie A 212209[lower-alpha 1]11[lower-alpha 5]1334
2017–18 Serie A 260407[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 5]0380
2018–19 Serie A 251206[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 5]0341
2019–20 Serie A 4100000041
2020–21 Serie A 170403[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 5]0250
2021–22 Serie A 210301[lower-alpha 1]01[lower-alpha 5]0260
Total 425273729257256136
Los Angeles FC 2022 Major League Soccer 110——2[lower-alpha 6]0130
Career total 5283453292511268443
  1. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. Four appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, two appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Five appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
  5. Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana
  6. Appearances in MLS Cup Playoffs

International
As of match played 1 June 2022[197][198]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Italy 200410
200540
200610
200731
200870
2009111
2010100
2011120
201280
2013102
201472
201580
201681
201761
201840
201930
202020
202190
202230
Total1178
As of match played 1 June 2022. Italy score listed first, score column indicates score after each Chiellini goal.[198]
List of international goals scored by Giorgio Chiellini
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 21 November 2007Stadio Alberto Braglia, Modena, Italy Faroe Islands3–03–1UEFA Euro 2008 qualification
2 18 November 2009Stadio Dino Manuzzi, Cesena, Italy Sweden1–01–0Friendly
3 22 June 2013Itaipava Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil Brazil2–32–42013 FIFA Confederations Cup
4 10 September 2013Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy Czech Republic1–12–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
5 10 October 2014Stadio Renzo Barbera, Palermo, Italy Azerbaijan1–02–1UEFA Euro 2016 qualification
6 2–1
7 27 June 2016Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France Spain1–02–0UEFA Euro 2016
8 6 October 2017Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino, Turin, Italy North Macedonia1–01–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours
Chiellini holding the UEFA European Championship trophy, his first international trophy for Italy

Livorno[77]

  • Serie C1: 2001–02

Juventus[77][196]

  • Serie A: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
  • Serie B: 2006–07
  • Coppa Italia: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21
  • Supercoppa Italiana: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020
  • UEFA Champions League: Runner-up: 2014–15, 2016–17

Los Angeles FC

  • Supporters' Shield: 2022[199]
  • MLS Cup: 2022

Italy U19[77]

  • UEFA European Under-19 Championship: 2003

Italy Olympic Team[77]

Italy

Individual

Orders

See also
  • List of footballers with 100 or more international caps

References
  1. "2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil: List of Players: Italy" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 14 July 2014. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 September 2019.
  2. "2013 FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil: List of Players: Italy" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 7 June 2013. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2013.
  3. "Giorgio Chiellini". Juventus F.C. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
  4. Gregor MacGregor (18 December 2015). "The 11 best defenders in the world". fourfourtwo.com. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  5. "SportMob – Best Italian Defenders of all time". SportMob. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  6. ""Oscar Del Calcio AIC 2010" Italian Football Awards". Retrieved 5 March 2015.
  7. "Oscar del calcio: Vidal e Pirlo sono il top. La Juve è la più forte d'Italia" (in Italian). Tuttosport. 27 January 2014. Archived from the original on 20 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  8. "Oscar del Calcio, dominio Juve. Buffon: "Donnarumma ha doti da grande"" [Serie A Oscars, Juve dominate. Buffon: "Donnarumma has the characteristics to be great"] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  9. "Gran Galà del calcio, la Juventus fa incetta di premi" (in Italian). Il Corriere della Sera. 31 January 2017. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  10. "Juventus, Chiellini e il provino con il Milan: nel 2000 il difensore vestì il rossonero". Calcio Fanpage.
  11. Vittorio Malagutti (7 November 2002). "La Roma ha un buco nel bilancio? Per coprirlo basta vendere 26 sconosciuti" [Roma had hole in the budget? Sell 26 unknown is enough to cover.]. Corriere della Sera (in Italian). Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  12. "Approvazione Situazione Mensile al 31 maggio 2004" (PDF). AS Roma (in Italian). 30 June 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 August 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2011.
  13. "Reports and Financial Statements at 30 June 2004" (PDF). Juventus FC. 26 October 2004. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  14. "Chiellini renews contract". Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
  15. (in Italian) La Juventus torna tra le grandi corrieredellasera.it
  16. (in Italian) Chiellini: «Felice per il rinnovo» corrieredellosport.it
  17. (in Italian) Juve, una passeggiata Artmedia steso per 4–0 gazzetta.it
  18. (in Italian) Chiellini infortunato: legamenti ko? corrieredellosport.it
  19. "Juve, è ansia per il Fulham: mancano portiere e difesa" (in Italian). Tuttosport. 15 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  20. "Napoli swoop to down Juve". fifa.com. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 4 April 2010.
  21. "Official: Juventus Extend Giorgio Chiellini's Contract Until 2015 | Goal.com". www.goal.com.
  22. "Juve Campione d'Italia, 2–0 al Cagliari. Milan ko". tuttosport.com (in Italian). Tuttosport. 6 May 2012. Archived from the original on 6 July 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  23. Paolo Menicucci; Ben Gladwell (9 June 2016). "Italy's 'BBC' spell out programme for solidity". UEFA.com. Retrieved 16 June 2016.
  24. Ben Gladwell (29 June 2016). "Meet the quarter-final opposition: Italy". UEFA.com. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  25. "'Italy defence world's best'". Football Italia. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  26. "Morata: Italy have best defence". Football España. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  27. "Buffon, quante dediche. Da Conte a Del Piero". tuttosport.com (in Italian). Tuttosport. 11 August 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  28. "Chiellini a quota 250". juvenewsradio.it (in Italian). 23 September 2012. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  29. Maurizio Nicita (1 March 2013). "Napoli-Juventus 1–1: a Chiellini risponde Inler. Conte esulta: resta a +6". gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  30. Riccardo Pratesi (5 May 2013). "Juventus, scudetto bis: 1–0 sul Palermo. Conte sale ancora sul tetto della Serie A". gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  31. Maurizio Nicita (18 August 2013). "Supercoppa, Juventus super: 4–0 alla Lazio con gol di Pogba, Chiellini, Lichtsteiner eTevez". gazzetta.it/ (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  32. "UEFA announce the candidates for the 2013 Team of the Year". Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  33. Nicolò Schira (17 October 2013). "Chiellini: goal al Milan e rinnovo con la Juventus". panorama.it (in Italian). Panorama. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  34. "Chiellini, 300 da Protagonista!". juventus.com (in Italian). 6 January 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  35. Mauro Caputi (4 May 2014). "La Roma crolla a Catania". rainews.it (in Italian). RAI. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  36. "Supercoppa argentina: Tevez- Higuain 2–2, ma ai rigori gioisce solo il Pipita". gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 22 December 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  37. Jacopo Gerna (20 May 2015). "Juve infinita, vince la 10ª Coppa Italia: Matri piega la Lazio ai supplementari" [An infinite Juve wins its 10th Coppa Italia: Matri sinks Lazio in extra-time] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 21 May 2015.
  38. "Juventus v Barcelona". BBC Sport. 4 June 2015. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  39. "Barcelona see off Juventus to claim fifth title". UEFA. 6 June 2015.
  40. Ben Gladwell (30 July 2015). "Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini out for three weeks as injury crisis deepens". ESPN FC. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  41. Paul Sumeet (24 November 2015). "Six Juventus stars nominated for UEFA Team of the Year". La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
  42. "Official: Chiellini skips Napoli, Bayern". Football Italia. 9 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  43. "Chiellini doubt for Bayern?". Football Italia. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  44. "Chiellini out for 10 days". Football Italia. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
  45. "Juventus name squad for Bayern". Football Italia. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
  46. "Juventus name 21-man squad for Empoli". juventus.com. 2 April 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  47. "Chiellini medical update". juventus.com. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  48. Francesco Carci (8 May 2016). "Verona-Juventus 2–1, Toni show: cucchiaio e lacrime nella partita d'addio" (in Italian). La Repubblica. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  49. "Juve celebrate in the sign of Five". Football Italia. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  50. "Juventus 5 Sampdoria 0: Dybala double wraps up season in style". FourFourTwo. 14 May 2016. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  51. Giuseppe Giannone (21 May 2016). "LIVE TJ – MILAN-JUVENTUS 0–1, la Coppa Italia resta a Torino: Morata piega il Milan ai supplementari, la "Undecima" è servita" (in Italian). Tutto Juve. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  52. Mina Rzouki (21 May 2016). "Giorgio Chiellini superb as the back as Juventus win the Coppa Italia vs. Milan". ESPN. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  53. Jacopo Gerna (21 May 2016). "Milan-Juve 0–1, Morata-gol: Coppa Italia ad Allegri, trionfo ai supplementari" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 2 June 2016.
  54. Bretland, Elliott (4 October 2018). "Bernardeschi: I've always preferred Ronaldo to Messi". Onefootball. Retrieved 6 October 2018.
  55. "Juventus 4 – 1 Sampdoria". Football Italia. 26 October 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  56. "Milan beat Juve in Super Cup shoot-out". Football Italia. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2016.
  57. "Late Buffon Mistake Costs Juventus Full Points Against Atalanta". beINSports.com. 28 April 2017. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  58. "Real Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo see off Juventus to win Champions League". The Guardian. 3 June 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  59. "Chiellini & Mandzukic out of Barcelona". Football Italia. 11 September 2017.
  60. "UEFA.com Fans' Team of the Year 2017 announced". UEFA.com. 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
  61. "Spal-Juve: Talking points". Juventus.com. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  62. "OFFICIAL: Juve renew Chiellini & Barzagli". Football Italia. 29 June 2018.
  63. "Chiellini to become Juve captain". Football Italia. 17 May 2018.
  64. Simon Burnton (16 January 2019). "Juventus 1–0 Milan: Supercoppa Italiana – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2019.
  65. "Ronaldo hat-trick inspires Juve Remuntada". Football Italia. 12 March 2019.
  66. "Giorgio Chiellini: "Cristiano Ronaldo is a superior entity"". AS.com. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  67. "Soccer-Chiellini gives Juventus opening win at Parma". The National Post. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
  68. "Serious knee injury for Chiellini". Football Italia. 30 August 2019.
  69. "Chiellini: 'Worst part is over' | Football Italia". www.football-italia.net. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
  70. "GIGI AND CHIELLO, 2021!". Juventus. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
  71. "Champions, Dinamo Kiev-Juve 0-2: decide tutto una doppietta di Morata" (in Italian). Sportmediaset.it. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  72. "Giorgio Chiellini: Juventus and Italy captain signs new two-year deal with Serie A club". bbc.com. 2 August 2021.
  73. "Chiellini ufficializza l'addio alla Juventus: "Lunedì saluterò lo Stadium. C'è dispiacere ma è giusto cedere lo scettro"". Eurosport (in Italian). 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  74. "LAFC Signs Defender Giorgio Chiellini". www.lafc.com. 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  75. ""World-class" Chiellini shows his value as LAFC win in Italian's debut". mlssoccer.com. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  76. "Gli Azzurrini trionfano in Liechtenstein". uefa.com (in Italian). Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  77. "Giorgio Chiellini: Carriera". giorgiochiellini.com (in Italian). Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  78. "Non male l'Italia sperimentale Miccoli-gol per battere la Finlandia". repubblica.it (in Italian). La Repubblica. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  79. "Donadoni: "serata di festa per tutti". Chiellini – "ricorderò sempre questo goal"". figc.it (in Italian). FIGC. 22 November 2007. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  80. "Cannavaro vows to stay with squad". BBC Sport. 3 June 2008. Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  81. Gaetano De Stefano (2 June 2008). "Cannavaro, caviglia k.o. Per lui niente Europeo" [Cannavaro, ankle] (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 20 May 2015.
  82. Paolo Bandini (10 June 2008). "Euro 2008: Holland v Italy – as it happened". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2015.
  83. Stefano Cantalupi (30 June 2008). "Il Top 11 di Euro 2008 Vota la squadra delle stelle" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  84. Harrold, Michael (14 June 2008). "Buffon saves Italy with penalty stop". UEFA.com. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
  85. Paolo Menicucci (17 June 2008). "L'Italia si sveglia e vola ai quarti" [Italy wake up and fly on to the quarter-finals] (in Italian). UEFA. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
  86. Gaetano De Stefano (22 June 2008). "Italia, che peccato! Fuori ai rigori con la Spagna". gazzetta.it (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  87. "FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa 2009". fifa.com. FIFA. Archived from the original on 24 June 2009. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  88. Roberto Bonizzi (25 June 2010). "Disastro Italia, eliminata dal Mondiale Lippi: "Terrorizzati, è solo colpa mia"". ilgiornale.it (in Italian). Il Giornale. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  89. "Consegnata all'Uefa la lista dei 23 giocatori convocati per gli Europei". figc.it (in Italian). FIGC. 29 May 2012. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  90. Mark Meadows (19 January 2012). "Italy's Chiellini to miss quarter-final". Reuters. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  91. "Recuperato Barzagli, l'Italia perde un altro centrale: infortunio muscolare per Chiellini, per il dottore "c'è preoccupazione"". goal.com (in Italian). 18 June 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  92. Mattia Fontana (1 July 2012). "L'Italia si inchina a una grande Spagna: è 4–0". eurosport.yahoo.com (in Italian). Eurosport. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  93. Massimiliano Nerozzi (14 November 2012). "Chiellini: "Io, capitano di tanti giovani"". lastampa.it (in Italian). La Stampa. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  94. "Referee admits mistake in Italy vs. Brazil match". CBC.ca. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2013.
  95. "Buffon stars as Italy win shootout & bronze". FIFA.com. 30 June 2013. Archived from the original on 9 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  96. "Italia-Rep. Ceca 2–1: gol di Kozak, Chiellini e Balotelli su rigore. Azzurri qualificati" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. 10 September 2013. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  97. De Menezes, Jack (24 June 2014). "Luis Suarez bite: Uruguay striker accused of biting Giorgio Chiellini in latest controversy during World Cup clash". The Independent. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  98. Ogden, Mark (24 June 2014). "Italy 0 Uruguay 1". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  99. "Suarez at centre of new biting row as Uruguay progress". ESPN. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  100. "Luis Suárez suspended for nine matches and banned for four months from any football-related activity". FIFA. 26 June 2014. Archived from the original on 3 July 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  101. "Luis Suárez banned for four months for biting in World Cup game". The Guardian. 26 June 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  102. "Luis Suarez Ban Too Harsh Says Victim Giorgio Chiellini". NDTV. 27 June 2014.
  103. "Chiellini reveals he admires Luis Suarez for 2014 World Cup bite during Italy v Uruguay clash" Goal 22 May 2020
  104. "Giorgio Chiellini has hand in all the goals as Italy beat Azerbaijan". ESPN.com. 10 October 2014.
  105. "Italy beats Azerbaijan to qualify for Euro 2016". SportsNet. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 22 December 2015.
  106. "Italy: Romania hold Azzurri 2–2". Football Italia. 17 November 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  107. "Chiellini willing to play anywhere for Italy". La Gazzetta dello Sport. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  108. "OFFICIAL: Italy squad for Euro 2016". Football Italia. 31 May 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  109. Sam Wallace (13 June 2016). "Italy 2 Belgium 0, Euro 2016: Giaccherini and Pelle see off disjointed dark horses". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  110. Gabriele Marcotti (21 June 2016). "Italy and Antonio Conte are smart to rotate for Euro 2016 clash vs. Ireland". ESPN FC. Retrieved 3 July 2016.
  111. Foulerton, Jim (27 June 2016). "Dominant Italy brush aside champions Spain". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. Retrieved 27 June 2016.
  112. Rob Smyth (2 July 2016). "Germany 1–1 Italy". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 July 2016.
  113. "Italy take Israel despite Chiellini red". Football Italia. 5 September 2016. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  114. "Juve confirm Chiellini problem". Football Italia. 1 September 2017.
  115. "Albania 0-1 Italy". BBC Sport. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
  116. "I più presenti: Chiellini eguaglia Facchetti". UEFA. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  117. "Ignominious Italy out of World Cup". Football Italia. 13 November 2017.
  118. "Chiellini: 'My last Italy game' - Football Italia". www.football-italia.net. Football Italia. 13 November 2017.
  119. "Italy 0 Sweden 0". Guardian. 13 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  120. "Italy squad for Argentina and England - Football Italia". www.football-italia.net. 17 March 2018.
  121. "Juventus' Chiellini out for Italy and can prepare for Madrid". AS.com. 18 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
  122. "Chiellini rejoins Italy squad; Pellegri called up". www.sportsnet.ca. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  123. "NATIONS LEAGUE DEBUT. MANCINI: "I WANT AN ITALY THAT PLAYS THE ATTACK TO WIN"". figc.it. 6 September 2018.
  124. "Marotta: 'Proud of captain Chiellini'". Football Italia. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  125. "Italy: Azzurri open with Poland point". Football Italia. 7 September 2018. Retrieved 7 September 2018.
  126. "Wasteful Italy held at home by Ukraine". www.eurosport.com. 11 October 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  127. "Chiellini: 'Azzurri just need time'". Football Italia. 17 November 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2018.
  128. "Mancini names uncapped striker Raspadori in final Italy Euro 2020 squad". Reuters. 1 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  129. "Imbattibili, vincenti e... i record di Chiellini: 5 curiosità su Italia-Turchia". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 11 June 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  130. "Italy beat Switzerland to reach last 16". BBC Sport. 16 June 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
  131. Doyle, Mark (10 July 2021). "Chiellini's back! Italy's greatest warrior returns to Wembley for one final battle with England". Goal. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021.
  132. "Italy edge Belgium to set up Spain semi". BBC Sport. 2 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  133. Reidy, Paul (11 July 2021). "Italy 1-1 England (3-2 pens) summary: score, goals, highlights, Euro 2020". Diario AS. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021.
  134. McNulty, Phil (11 July 2021). "England lose shootout in Euro 2020 final". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  135. "Italy's Giorgio Chiellini retiring from national team after Argentina friendly". ESPN. Retrieved 25 March 2022.
  136. "Italy 0-3 Argentina: South American champions cruise to Finalissima glory". UEFA.com. 1 June 2022. Retrieved 2 June 2022.
  137. Pellizzari, Tommaso (2 June 2014). "World Cup 2014: Italy profile – Giorgio Chiellini". The Guardian.
  138. Luca Curino (30 April 2008). "Chiellini, si parte All'Europeo ci sei" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  139. Bandini, Paolo (13 June 2016). "Giorgio Chiellini: 'I have a strong temperament but off the pitch I am more serene'". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  140. Luca Persico (2 June 2014). "Italy's World Cup 23". Football Italia. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  141. Andrew Lewellen (22 May 2014). "Key Battles: How to Defend". ESPN FC. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  142. Ruaidhrí Croke (17 June 2016). "Euro 2016: Italy v Sweden". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  143. "300 and counting for Chiellini!". Juventus.com. 6 January 2014. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  144. Nick Ames (14 November 2016). "#FC100: Gerard Pique is the best centre-back in football". ESPN. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  145. Paolo Bandini (5 June 2015). "Giorgio Chiellini injury can help Juventus do Italian job on Lionel Messi". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  146. Michael Cox (12 July 2016). "Portugal's dominant rearguard highlights Euro 2016's best XI". ESPN FC. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  147. "Giorgio Chiellini". La Repubblica (in Italian). 23 May 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  148. "Ten of the Best Defenders in the World". World Soccer. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  149. Gregor MacGregor (18 December 2015). "The 11 best defenders in the world". FourFourTwo. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  150. "Barzagli, Bonucci and Chiellini – the latest Italy wall looking to deny Germany". FourFourTwo. 1 July 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  151. Amir Rashid (5 June 2010). "Chiellini: the key to defence of Italy's crown". The Independent. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  152. "Giorgio Chiellini: Hopefully it's Not the End for One of This Generation's Greatest Defenders". Sports Illustrated. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  153. Minchiotti, Gianluca (18 November 2018). "Juve, Chiellini 9° nella classifica di sempre dei difensori: scopri la top 15" (in Italian). www.calciomercato.com. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  154. "Juventus-Inter, Allegri consacra Chiellini: "Il miglior difensore al mondo"" (in Italian). Goal.com. 8 December 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  155. "Napoli, Mazzarri sul mercato: "La società sa cosa voglio"" (in Italian). TuttoMercatoWeb. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  156. "Napoli, Mazzarri:'Chiellini è di un altro pianeta'" (in Italian). Calciomercato.com. Retrieved 13 September 2014.
  157. Dave Taylor. "Serie A Team of the Season 2013–14". Football Italia. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  158. Danny Higginbotham (5 February 2016). "Ball-winning as the best form of defence is becoming a dying art in our game". The Independent. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  159. "Juve, gli auguri di Dybala e Bonucci e 'King Kong' Chiellini" (in Italian). Calciomercato.com. 14 August 2016. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  160. Jaime Candil (31 May 2017). "El 'Indio de Camas' contra 'King Kong', el duelo en la defensa" (in Spanish). AS.com. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  161. "I migliori difensori nell'uno contro uno (2000-2020)" (in Italian). www.ultimouomo.com. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  162. Rzouki, Mina (4 June 2015). "Giorgio Chiellini's leadership will be missed in UCL final absence". ESPN FC. Retrieved 22 September 2015.
  163. "Chiellini deciso: "Mi sposo. Poi vorrei la Juve a vita"" (in Italian). Tutto Sport. 3 May 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  164. "Chiellini: "Sergio Ramos is the best centre-back in the world"". As.com. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  165. "Chiellini: 'Defenders are pessimistic'". Football Italia. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  166. Alberto Mauro (17 November 2017). "Chiellini: "Ero quello scarso e bruttino, ma col lavoro sono arrivato al top"" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  167. Fabiana Della Valle (23 November 2018). "Juventus, Chiellini può fare la storia: 500 partite e 8° scudetto" (in Italian). La Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  168. Susy Campanale (2 March 2013). "Raging Chiellini". Football Italia. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  169. Blair Newman (16 March 2016). "Leonardo Bonucci: the man who handles attacks at Juventus and in Ferrari garages". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  170. "Buffon festeggia alla grande le 150 in Azzurro" (in Italian). Juventus.com. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  171. "Chiellini: "Onwards one game at a time"". Juventus.com. 20 September 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  172. Mina Rzouki (1 January 2013). "The best Juventus players of 2012". ESPN FC. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  173. "Ranked! The 10 best centre-backs in the world". FourFourTwo. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
  174. "Serie A: Gianluigi Buffon and Giorgio Chiellini sign new contracts with Juventus". Sky Sports. 20 November 2014. Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  175. Viñas, Sergio R. (4 July 2021). "Bonucci y Chiellini, un matrimonio de titanio". El Mundo (in Spanish).
  176. Bandini, Nicky (8 July 2021). "Giorgio Chiellini, the grinning warrior, gives Italy psychological edge". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  177. Rouse, Daniel (7 October 2016). "Chiellini sent back to Juventus due to calf injury". The Score. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  178. Gianluca Nesci; Anthony Lopopolo (28 March 2016). "Predicting the XI: How Italy should line up at Euro 2016". The Score. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
  179. Sciacqua, Savina (4 March 2012). "Giorgio Chiellini, dopo Doc andate da Oscar". Dolce Vita (in Italian).
  180. "Ecco il dottor Chiellini – "Non siamo ignoranti"" (in Italian). La Repubblica. 27 July 2010.
  181. "Chiellini: the key to defence of Italy's crown". The Independent. 6 June 2010.
  182. "Chiellini receives Masters Degree". Football Italia. 6 April 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
  183. "Giorgio Chiellini receives Masters degree". juventus.com. 6 April 2017.
  184. "Emotional Chiellini dedicates Juventus victory to Davide Astori". BT Sport official Youtube channel. 7 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  185. Giorgio Chiellini Post Match Interview | Italy vs England 1-1 (3-2), retrieved 13 July 2021
  186. "Giorgio Chiellini sposa Carolina Bonistalli: il matrimonio da sogno con 250 invitati. E la festa fino a notte fonda". Oggi (in Italian). 21 July 2014.
  187. "Giorgio Chiellini e Carolina Bonistalli genitori per la prima volta, è nata la figlia Nina". Oggi (in Italian). 22 July 2015.
  188. "Congratulations, Chiello!". juventus.com. 21 July 2015.
  189. "Fiocco rosa in casa Chiellini è nata Olivia" (in Italian). momentoitalia.it. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 20 June 2019.
  190. "Chiellini, Giorgio" (in Italian). Treccani: Enciclopedia On Line. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  191. "FIFA 10 Italian cover". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  192. "FIFA 11: Kakà e Chiellini in copertina". La Gazzetta dello Sport (in Italian). 5 August 2010. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  193. Antonio Corsa (19 February 2018). "Il documentario sulla Juve di Netflix è un esperimento riuscito" (in Italian).
  194. May, Sam (9 May 2020). "Juventus Defender Giorgio Chiellini Dubs Mario Balotelli 'Negative' And Felipe Melo 'The Worst'". Forbes. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  195. May, Sam (15 May 2020). "Giorgio Chiellini And Felipe Melo Row Continues, As Brazilian Admits To Headbutting Him". Forbes. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  196. Giorgio Chiellini at Soccerway. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
  197. "Giorgio Chiellini". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  198. "Giorgio Chiellini". FIGC profile (in Italian). Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  199. "LAFC win 2022 MLS Supporters' Shield". Major League Soccer. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  200. UEFA Euro 2012 at UEFA.com
  201. "Italy 2-1 Belgium: Azzurri secure third place at Nations League finals". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). 10 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  202. "Serie A Team of 2017-18". Football Italia. 3 December 2018. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
  203. "Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners". Football Italia. 2 December 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2019.
  204. "UEFA Champions League squad of the season". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 9 June 2015. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
  205. "UEFA Champions League squad of the season". UEFA.com. Union of European Football Associations. 27 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  206. "ESM Team of the season". World Soccer. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
  207. "Eén landgenoot in ESM Elftal van het Seizoen" (in Dutch). ElfVoetbal.nl. Retrieved 18 July 2015.
  208. "Messi, Neymar Jr, Iniesta and Alves in France Football world XI of 2015". FC Barcelona.com. 30 December 2015. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  209. "Giorgio Chiellini, el mejor de la temporada para los hinchas de Juventus" (in Spanish). cooperativa.cl. 10 May 2009. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  210. "#JUVE120 team announced". juventus.com. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 27 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  211. Andrew Haslam (29 June 2007). "Il dream team Under 21" (in Italian). UEFA. Archived from the original on 15 January 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  212. "Our all-time Under-21 EURO dream team". UEFA. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  213. "Chiellini Vince il premio Scirea" (in Italian). glgs-ussi.it. 26 July 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  214. "IFFHS Men's UEFA Team of the Year". IFFHS. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2022.
  215. "Mattarella ha conferito onorificenze motu proprio ai giocatori e allo staff della Nazionale vincitrice del campionato europeo" (in Italian). quirinale.it. 16 July 2021. Archived from the original on 16 July 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  216. "Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana Sig. Chiellini, Giorgio" (in Italian). Retrieved 19 July 2015.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Giorgio Chiellini.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.