Chiellini: I hope the fans will remember me as a good person

Added at:
Source: Serie A

Giorgio Chiellini is preparing for his final game with Italian national team. On Wensday reigning European champions will take on Argentina in the inaugural Finalissima at Wembley.

Speaking to UEFA.com Chiellini explained, how it feels to be saying goodbye to his career.

"It has been, without a doubt, better than I could ever have imagined. When you're a kid, you dream of playing for the national team, because that's the ultimate. The thought of being able to play more than 100 games over the course of 18 years, being captain, and lifting an important cup like I did last year at Wembley was the icing on the cake.

I hope the fans will remember me as a good person. A person who personified [certain] values. On the pitch I have my strengths and weaknesses, and some will remember both. In the long run, you'll always remember the nicer things, that's normal.

What would I say to my younger self? Always work with passion, try to get better and have fun. It's a job, but it's the best hobby and fun a kid can dream of. There always has to be a balance in everything, in life and in football. Only if there is balance, and you're able to manage things in the right way and at the right time, can you make the mistakes a young guy will make.

I'm at peace. I feel happy with what I achieved and a little bit of pride for what I achieved in my career. But more than that, I am proud of the core values that I've passed on, and of the affection that people I've met".

NewsRSS - News - Terrikon

06 February

22:36
2026 Winter Olympics: women’s ice hockey - schedule, results and standings
22:30
Olympics 2026: mixed doubles curling - schedule, results and standings

04 February

22:16
Pogba left out of Monaco’s Champions League squad
17:37
2026 Winter Games: Norwegian skier airlifted after downhill incident
17:22
Ter Stegen to undergo surgery on Friday
15:55
Olympic curiosities of 2026: Benin, Guinea-Bissau and the UAE set for historic debuts
15:29
Al-Hilal extend Rúben Neves contract until 2029
14:58
Derby d’Italia to be played with fans as Inter avoid stadium ban
12:17
Europe’s longest run: Milan unbeaten in 22 straight matches
09:00
James Rodríguez and Minnesota: biggest transfer in MLS club history

03 February

19:56
Sergio Agüero could have become a Chelsea legend
19:35
Ronaldo misses Al-Nassr training as conflict escalates
17:05
Barcelona target UEFA Champions League final in 2029
15:20
Al-Ittihad block Kanté transfer
14:40
Harry Kane ill as Hoffenheim clash hangs in the balance
13:39
Doping scandal hits Italy’s biathlon team as Passler tests positive
13:11
Iniesta predicts a future among the greats for Yamal
12:18
Yaremchuk reunites with familiar faces after Lyon move
11:54
First Carabao Cup finalist to be decided tonight
10:53
Cristiano Ronaldo unhappy as €50m buy-out clause revealed
09:51
Upamecano to stay at Bayern, no move to Real Madrid or Barcelona
09:12
Three contenders: who could replace Guardiola at Manchester City
08:23
Winter transfer window largely comes to a close

02 February

22:31
Karim Benzema completes move to Al-Hilal
21:43
NFL to stage first-ever regular season game in Paris in autumn 2026