SOCCER
Giorgio Chiellini: “I still have the hunger”
The former Italian international is ready to start his first full Major League Soccer regular season and he is eager to keep winning titles.
Los Angeles Football Club made some blockbuster free signings last summer that helped the club win their first MLS Cup. Giorgio Chilleini arrived in Major League Soccer and had an immediate impact at LAFC. The former Italian international was the experienced player on defense that head coach Steve Cherundolo was looking for in order to control the results better and keep pushing to win the trophy.
Chiellini only made 13 appearances, 10 as a starter for a total of 761 minutes, but his leadership was what made LAFC’s defense stronger and able to perform better under pressure. The Black & Gold went on to win the Supporters’ Shield and the MLS Cup last year and now Chiellini continues to look for more trophies as he is preparing to enter his first full Major League Soccer campaign.
Chiellini is not thinking about retirement
The veteran defender sat down with The Athletic to talk about his goals for the upcoming season. “I have the hunger still, because I enjoy my life everyday. I am a professional, I will come here and give 100 percent each day. I like being the big brother of my teammates,” said Giorgio Chiellini during the interview.
“The first thing I told my teammates was that I want to be remembered as a good person and as a big brother more than just a player. It is impossible for me to play every game, I want to be a good player and my main goal is to have good relationships and help my teammates,” said Chiellini.
“We have to keep the hunger [of winning titles] and I know that because of my time in Italy. There are many trophies to win and more goals to accomplish. The atmosphere is beautiful. Everyone is so kind and they work hard and we need to continue with that vibe. We are going to have problems along the season, but if we keep fighting we will overcome them,” he said.
The 37-year-old defender also told the LA Times that he is not considering retirement anytime soon because he is enjoying life in Los Angeles and playing in MLS. “I enjoy everyday because I know that I am close to the end. There are many problems in life, but I think we have to enjoy what we do.
“I arrived here in order to enjoy this league, discover new things, understand how is soccer now, at what level, in the U.S. And also in order to understand a different view of the sports business and sports here. It’s a huge difference,” he added.