With the Italian stalwart’s time in Turin coming to an end, TBR have put together Juventus’ best XI during Giorgio Chiellini’s 17 years at the club.
The veteran confirmed he will leave the Old Lady at the end of the season after last night’s 4-2 defeat to Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia final.
The 37-year-old is third on Juventus’ all-time appearances list behind Alessandro Del Piero and Gianluigi Buffon.
The 116-time Italian international, joined Juventus in 2005 from Fiorentina and has gone on to win nine league titles and five Italian Cups during his time at the Allianz Stadium.
After the Azzuri failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Juventus captain announced his retirement from international football, but it looks like he plans to continue his club playing career with a potential move to the MLS in the pipeline.
Los Angeles have offered a contract to the legendary Italian, but the Vancouver Whitecaps are also interested in the European Championship winner, according to the Athletic.
With Chiellini’s playing days in his homeland drawing to an end, here is Juventus’ best XI during Chiellini’s 17 years with the club.
Juventus’ best XI during Giorgio Chiellini’s 17 years
Gianluigi Buffon
Chiellini played alongside one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time on 359 occasions during their trophy-filled time together in Turin.
The pair never managed to get their hands on the coveted Champions League trophy but their places in footballing folklore are assured to their endless brilliance, phenomenal consistency and admirable longevity.
Dani Alves
The Brazilian serial winner only spent one season in Turin following his departure from Barcelona, but he played an influential role in guiding Max Allegri’s side to the 2017 Champions League final.
In his sole season in Italy, the 39-year-old scored goals and laid on seven assists from 33 matches before moving to Paris Saint Germain.
Leonardo Bonucci
Undoubtedly one of the best centre-back pairings in the history of football, the Italian gladiators have frustrated, bullied and dominated forwards for several years.
The duo were the bedrock of Italy’s European Championship success last summer and it’s sad to know that the iconic partnership will be coming to an end.
Giorgio Chiellini
You cannot pick one and not the other. Opposing teams have been tormented and thwarted by Chiellini’s ability to shut off all supply lines and throw his body in front of anything to prevent a shot on goal.
Chiellini has always been a throwback defender who would do anything necessary for the good of his team and if that meant he had to conjure up some darks – so be it.
Patrice Evra
It was a surprise that Manchester United were willing to let Evra leave Old Trafford given his importance to the side and the Red Devils’ dressing room.
Just like Alves, in Evra’s first season with the Old Lady, Allegri’s men reached the Champions League final, but like in 2017 against Real Madrid, Juventus were thwarted by Spanish opposition, this time Barcelona in 2015.
Andrea Pirlo
One of the greatest midfielder technicians to ever grace the game of football, Pirlo often dictated the tempo of games and nonchalantly strolled around the pitch like it was a Sunday league game.
Pirlo was a Rolls-Royce of a footballer and it must have been a dream for Chiellini to play with his compatriot for club and country.
Paul Pogba
The Frenchman, who was a client of the late Mino Raiola, decided to leave Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United on a free transfer in 2012 to pursue first team football.
Pogba joined Juventus and produced the best club football of his career in Turin and with the World Cup winner set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer for the second time in his career, a return to Juventus looks an increased possibility.
Paulo Dybala
Another big player who is set to leave Juventus this summer is the Argentine Dybala who will call time on his seven-year stay on Turin following his arrival from Palermo.
The 28-year-old, who possesses a wand of a left foot, won’t be short of offers this summer and he has 115 goals and 48 assists from 291 matches for Juventus.
Alessandro Del Piero
What a servant this man was. He played in the black and white stripes of Juventus for 19 years and amassed 703 appearances from which he scored 289 goals.
Del Piero stuck by the club during their demotion to Serie B and he has seen as a gold like figure in Turin.
Cristiano Ronaldo
With Juventus desperate to land the Champions League, they brought ‘Mr Champions League’ himself to Turin in a big-money move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2018.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who features in TBRs over 30s Premier League team of the year, couldn’t drag the Old Lady to the promise land but he left with 101 goals scored from 134 games.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic
The Sweden legend had two years in Turin following his arrival from Ajax in 2004 before moving to fierce rivals Inter Milan.
The 40-year-old, who is still playing at the top of the game with AC Milan, is on the cusp of helping the Rossoneri win their first Serie A title in 11 years, in a side which Zlatan was a part of.