Why is Giorgio Chiellini set to sign with Los Angeles FC?
The 37-year-old Italian defender is one signature away from joining the Major League Soccer side and he is expected to arrive in Los Angeles in the forthcoming weeks.
Giorgio Chiellini played his last game with the Italian national team in the 3-0 defeat against Argentina earlier this week in the CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions. The 37-year-old started the game, but was replaced during the break when Argentina were 2-0 ahead.
Chiellini seemed slow compared to the strikers from Argentina and the Italian head coach decided to bring in Manuel Lazzari to join Leonardo Bonucci in the back line. That was his last game in a glorious international career with Italy and Chiellini is ready for the next chapter in his career.
Why did Chiellini decide to join LAFC?
The Finalissima was played at Wembley stadium in London where representatives from Los Angeles FC met with the Italian defender after the game. Both sides talked about the new contract and it has been reported that the deal has been finalized. During an interview with Sportweek, the legendary Italian defender revealed that not qualifying to the 2022 World Cup was the main motive why he decided to leave Juventus after 17 campaigns.
“If Italy had qualified to the World Cup I would still be playing for Juventus next season. I tried so hard but I couldn’t help my team achieve the main goal. In the 2010 World Cup we were eliminated at the end of the group stage, then in 2014 lost in the first round and in 2018 we didn’t qualify,” said Chiellini.
“If Italy had qualified to the 2018 World Cup in Russia I was planning on retiring from international duty at the end of that campaign,” the 37-year-old concluded.