Giorgio Chiellini refuses to rule out retiring after MLS Cup Final and says he is undecided on his future… as Los Angeles FC star and Italy legend, 39, opens up on ‘dream’ 18 months in MLS
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Giorgio Chiellini has admitted Saturday's MLS Cup final could be his last match in professional football as the 39-year-old considers whether he should call time on his decorated career.
The LAFC defender, who joined the club in June 2022, told reporters on Thursday that the club is open to him returning, but he has yet to make a decision on his future.
“I'm still unsure,” he said. 'I have to understand what to follow – whether it is my head, whether it is my heart, whether it is my leg. And there have been a lot of different calls in recent weeks.”
Chiellini, who referred to his 2019 ACL tear while a Juventus player, also expressed his gratitude that he is still playing.
Giorgio Chiellini could end his career after Saturday's MLS Cup final against the Crew
“Everything is a gift,” he said.
'I hope to win another cup… I want to enjoy this fantastic journey until the end.'
Los Angeles will face the Columbus Crew as they look to repeat as MLS champions.
Whether this is due to the Italian legend or not, Chiellini has thoroughly enjoyed his time in LA.
He was part of the LAFC squad that defeated the Philadelphia Union in a crazy 2022 final (though he didn't appear in the match) and talked Thursday about his time in Southern California so far.
“I arrived last year with a lot of dreams and hopes,” he said. 'But I could never have imagined what I have experienced in these eighteen months. It's something that got into my heart and into my blood.'
'It is a beautiful experience that I share with my family. It was difficult, I want to be honest, it was very difficult, especially the first months of senior year when I arrived,” he continued, referring to how his family had to settle down and his daughters did not speak English.
But now Chiellini is loving “everything” about Los Angeles and the MLS as he prepares for what could be his final match.