“I’ll leave if he’s not fired.” Due to their major miscommunication, a key player for the San Diego FC MLS has stated he will leave the team if his colleague is not dismissed.
Giorgio Chiellini, the renowned Italian center back who joined LAFC in June 2022, has left the game of professional soccer.
Ranking among the greatest players at his position in the history of the game, the 39-year-old made the announcement on Tuesday. After the 2023 Major League Soccer season, his contract expired.
Chiellini posted on social media, saying, “You have been the most beautiful and intense journey of my life.” “You’ve been my entire universe. I have taken a singular and remarkable journey with you. But now is the moment to open new chapters, take on fresh difficulties, and pen more significant and fascinating pages of life.”
Chiellini became a member of LAFC in the same summer as current player Dénis Bouanga and Welsh legend Gareth Bale. With the support of that trio, LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup in 2022. Later in 2023, Chiellini played a key role in helping the team advance to the Concacaf Champions League and the MLS Cup finals.
The center back finished with 45 appearances for the Black & Gold in all competitions, with one assist and one goal.
Co-president and general manager of the LAFC, John Thorrington, said in a statement, “First of all, we would like to congratulate Giorgio on his legendary career.” “We are appreciative that Giorgio, Olivia, Carolina, and Nina decided to spend the final eighteen months of Giorgio’s playing career at LAFC.
“Giorgio is an even better person and the best defender of his generation. Our expectations for Giorgio were extremely high, and he exceeded them both on and off the field. Giorgio will undoubtedly leave a lasting legacy at LAFC thanks to his leadership, professionalism, and character. We hope that our relationship with him will endure.”
Chiellini’s 17-year tenure at Juventus is what made him most famous. He won nine straight Serie A championships from 2011 to 20 while he was a player for La Vecchia Signora. The three-time Serie A Defender of the Year represented Juventus in 561 games across all competitions and holds the third-longest contract at the team, behind forward Alessandro Del Piero and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Chiellini is the fifth-most all-time cap holder with 117 for Italy. He led the Azzurri to the 2020 European Championship, where he was named Defender of the Tournament. The native of Pisa also competed in the FIFA World Cups in 2010 and 2014.
Aaron Long and Jesús Murillo are two of LAFC’s most important center backs as Chiellini leaves the team. While retooling for 2024, the club is anticipated to be busy this winter, possibly making use of two open Designated Player spots.
