Giorgio Chiellini said goodbye to the Italian national team on Wednesday with bitterness, after losing the Finalissima against Argentina at Wembley. The central defender was hoping to say goodbye at the Qatar 2022 World Cup; however, the 'Old Continent' squad failed to qualify.
LOOK: Lionel Messi became the Argentine player with the most titles in history
The Italian captain, who handed the armband to Leonardo Bonucci, his teammate at Juventus in Turin, couldn't close his international career with one last title to add to the 2020 European Championship and the 2003 U19 European Championship he won.
The left center-back, one of the most sought-after by the cameras, received a small tribute before the match and left the field at halftime, replaced by Manuel Lazzari.
Chiellini, who also left Juventus at the end of this season, leaves the national team with 117 caps and 16 goals.
He made his debut in November 2004 in a friendly against Finland and from there participated in the 2008 European Championship, the 2010 World Cup, the 2012 European Championship, the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 European Championship, and the 2022 European Championship, where he won the title.
He leaves in a sad way, losing the final 0-3 against Argentina, but with a fruitful club career, winning nine Serie A titles, five Italian Cups, and the regret of not having conquered the Champions League, like his predecessor as captain of Italy, Gianluigi Buffon.