Giorgio Chiellini: Italy defender to retire from international football after Wembley game
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Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini has made 116 appearances for Italy
Giorgio Chiellini will retire from international football after Italy play Argentina at Wembley in June.
The 37-year-old defender has played 116 times for Italy and was a key part of the squad that won the European Championship in England last year.
"I'll say goodbye to the national team at Wembley, where I experienced the pinnacle of my career by winning the Euros," Chiellini told DAZN.
The Azzurri have failed to qualify for this year's World Cup in Qatar.
Chiellini, who made his debut for Italy in 2004, is joint fifth in the list of Italy's most-capped players alongside Andrea Pirlo. Only Daniele de Rossi, Paolo Maldini, Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluigi Buffon have made more appearances.
"I'd like to say goodbye to the Azzurri with a nice memory," said Chiellini.
The veteran centre-back was speaking after Juventus' 2-1 win at Sassuolo. He is yet to decide whether to prolong his club career beyond this season.
"My love affair with Juventus is not ending, it will never end," said Chiellini. "Of course, from now to the end of the season I do have to evaluate everything, talk to my family about what is best.
"Let's reach fourth place [in Serie A] first and win the Coppa Italia, then we'll sit down with my two families - at home and Juventus - to figure out what is best for everyone.
"It was the same last summer. I took time and didn't sign the new contract until after the Euros. At my age, you can't look too far into the long-term, but that's only natural. It's all fine."
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