Chiellini's Italy retirement: Remembering his Euro 2020 play-fight v Jordi Alba

Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini has confirmed he will call time on his international career after the Azzuri face Argentina in the Finalissima on June 1.

The clash, which pits the reigning European Championship and Copa America holders against each other, takes place at Wembley Stadium – site of Italy’s Euro 2020 final triumph over England last July.

Speaking to DAZN after his club side Juventus defeated Sassuolo 2-1 on Monday night, Chiellini admitted that he could think of no better venue for his international swansong.

“I’ll say goodbye to the national team at Wembley, where I experienced the pinnacle of my career by winning the Euros,” revealed the veteran central defender.

The 37-year-old, who has played 116 times for his country to date, is famed for his no-nonsense approach to the game, even brushing off being bitten by Uruguay’s Luis Suarez during a heated encounter at the 2014 World Cup.

“Malice is part of football, I wouldn’t call it illegitimate. To get past a rival you have to be smart. I admire his cunning,” Chiellini reasoned when recalling the incident in his 2020 autobiography.

However, there was absolutely no malice or ill-will displayed by Chiellini during what was undoubtedly one of the biggest moments of his career in the Euro 2020 semi-final.

Deadlocked with Jordi Alba’s Spain after 120 minutes of closely contested action, Chiellini led his troops into a decisive penalty shoot-out to determine who would advance to the final of the tournament.

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The Wembley air was thick with tension as both nations prepared for the most crucial of spot-kicks. Chiellini, though, couldn’t have seemed any more at ease as he playfully jabbed at his