Giorgio Chiellini facts for kids

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Giorgio Chiellini

Chiellini in 2021

Personal information

Date of birth

14 August 1984 (age 40)

Place of birth

Pisa, Italy

Height

1.87 m

Playing position

Centre-back

Club information

Current club

Los Angeles FC (Player Development Coach)

Youth career

1990–2000

Livorno

Senior career*

Years

Team

Apps^†

(Gls)^†

2000–2002

Livorno

(0)

2002–2004

Roma

(0)

2002–2004

→ Livorno (loan)

(4)

2004–2022

Juventus

425

(27)

2004–2005

→ Fiorentina (loan)

(3)

2022–2023

Los Angeles FC

(1)

Total

548

(35)

National team

2000

Italy U15

(0)

2000–2001

Italy U16

(2)

2001

Italy U17

(0)

2002

Italy U18

(1)

2001–2003

Italy U19

(1)

2004–2007

Italy U21

(6)

2004

Italy Olympic

(0)

2004–2022

Italy

117

(8)

Teams managed

2024

Los Angeles FC (Player Development Coach)

Honours

Men's Football

Representing Italy
UEFA European Championship
Winner	2020 Europe
Runner-up	2012 Poland–Ukraine
FIFA Confederations Cup
Third	2013 Brazil
Summer Olympics
Bronze	2004 Athens
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner	2003 Liechtenstein
CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions
Runner-up	2022 England
UEFA Nations League
Third	2021 Italy

Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.

† Appearances (Goals).

Giorgio Chiellini (born on August 14, 1984) is a famous Italian former footballer. He was known for being a strong and tough centre-back. Many people think he is one of the best defenders ever.

Chiellini started his career at Livorno in 2000. He later moved to Juventus in 2005. With Juventus, he won nine Serie A titles in a row! He also won five Coppa Italia and five Supercoppa Italiana trophies. He played in two UEFA Champions League finals too.

In 2022, Chiellini moved to the United States to play for Los Angeles FC. He helped them win the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup in his first year. He stopped playing football in 2023 when he was 39 years old.

Giorgio Chiellini also played for the Italian national team from 2004. He won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He was the captain when Italy won the UEFA Euro 2020 championship. He played 117 games for Italy, making him one of their most capped players.

Early Life and Education

Giorgio Chiellini was born in Pisa, Italy, on August 14, 1984. He grew up in Livorno and has a twin brother.

He is also very smart! He earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 2010. Later, in 2017, he got a master's degree in business administration from the University of Turin. He graduated with honors.

Club Football Journey

Starting at Livorno

Chiellini joined the youth teams at Livorno when he was just six years old. He first played as a central midfielder, then as a winger. Eventually, he found his best position as a left-back.

He started playing for Livorno's main team in 2000. In 2002, Roma bought him, but he was loaned back to Livorno. He played 42 games and scored four goals for Livorno before moving to Juventus.

Time at Fiorentina

In 2004, Juventus bought Chiellini. But they immediately loaned him to Fiorentina for the 2004–05 season. He played regularly for Fiorentina, appearing in 42 games and scoring three goals.

Years of Success at Juventus

Chiellini playing for Juventus in 2009

After a great season with Fiorentina, Chiellini joined Juventus in 2005. He quickly became a key player for the team. In his first season, Juventus won the league title. However, it was later taken away due to a big football problem.

When Juventus had to play in Serie B (a lower league), Chiellini became a central defender. He helped Juventus win the 2006–07 Serie B title and return to Serie A.

He became a very important defender for Juventus. He was even named the Serie A Defender of the Year three times in a row (2008, 2009, 2010). He signed new contracts to stay with Juventus for many years.

Winning Titles and Champions League Finals

Chiellini playing for Juventus in 2012

Under manager Antonio Conte, Chiellini played a big part in Juventus winning the Serie A title in 2012. Juventus also had the best defense in the league that year.

He often played with Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli in a strong three-man defense. This famous trio was nicknamed BBC (for Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini). They were known as one of the best defenses in the world.

Chiellini won his third league title with Juventus in the 2013–14 season. He played his 300th game for Juventus in January 2014.

He helped Juventus win the 2015 Coppa Italia Final in 2015, even scoring a goal in the final. Sadly, he missed the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final due to injury, and Juventus lost.

Chiellini (centre), Juventus' captain during the 2016 Coppa Italia Final, receives the trophy by the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella (right).

Despite some injuries, Chiellini continued to be a vital player. He helped Juventus win the league title for a fifth time in a row in 2016. He also captained the team to win the 2016 Coppa Italia Final, making Juventus the first Italian club to win two domestic titles in a row.

In 2017, he played in another Champions League final, but Juventus lost to Real Madrid. He was named to the UEFA Team of the Year in 2017.

Becoming Juventus Captain

FC Zenit Saint Petersburg vs. Juventus, 20 October 2021 47 (cropped 2)

Chiellini with Juventus in 2021

In 2018, Chiellini became the new captain of Juventus. He led the team to win the 2018 Supercoppa Italiana in January 2019. He also played his 500th game for Juventus in March 2019.

He helped Juventus win his record eighth Serie A title in 2019. He continued to play for Juventus until 2022, winning his ninth league title in 2020. After losing the 2022 Coppa Italia Final, he announced he would leave Juventus.

Joining Los Angeles FC

On June 13, 2022, Chiellini joined Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC in the United States. He made his debut on July 17, 2022.

He helped Los Angeles FC win the MLS Cup in his first season. He scored his first goal for the club in March 2023. On December 12, 2023, after playing in the MLS Cup final again, Chiellini officially announced his retirement from playing professional football.

International Career

Youth and Early Senior Career

Chiellini played for Italy at all youth levels. He won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2003. He also won a bronze medal with the Italy Olympic team at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

He made his debut for the senior Italian national team in 2004, when he was 20. He scored his first goal for Italy in 2007.

Chiellini was part of Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2008. He became a regular starter in defense during the tournament.

Euro 2012 and World Cup Appearances

Chiellini in the Italy national team in 2011

Chiellini was a key defender for Italy in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, Italy did not do well and were eliminated early.

He was also a starting defender for Italy in UEFA Euro 2012. Italy reached the final, but they lost to Spain.

In 2013, Chiellini scored a goal against Brazil in the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup. Italy finished third in that tournament. He also helped Italy qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

During the 2014 World Cup, there was a famous incident where Luis Suárez bit Chiellini. Suárez was later suspended for his actions. Chiellini later said he understood Suárez's competitive spirit.

Euro 2016 and World Cup Qualification

Chiellini scored two goals in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Azerbaijan in 2014. He helped Italy qualify for UEFA Euro 2016.

At Euro 2016, Chiellini, Bonucci, and Barzagli formed a strong defense. He scored a goal against Spain in the round of 16. Italy was eventually knocked out by Germany in a penalty shootout.

In 2016, he received his first red card for the national team during a World Cup qualifier. Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup after losing to Sweden. Many thought this would be his last international game.

Captaincy and Euro 2020 Triumph

President of Italy Sergio Mattarella (right) congratulates Chiellini (carrying the trophy) in Rome, the day after Italy's UEFA Euro 2020 triumph.

Despite announcing his retirement, Chiellini was called back to the national team in 2018. He was named the new captain of the Italy national team. In November 2018, he played his 100th game for Italy.

In June 2021, Chiellini led Italy as captain in UEFA Euro 2020. He became the oldest player to play for Italy at the European Championships. He played a huge role in Italy winning their second European Championship title. They beat England in the final in a penalty shootout.

On April 25, 2022, Chiellini announced he would retire from the Italy national team after the 2022 Finalissima match against Argentina. He played his 117th and final international game on June 1, 2022.

Playing Style

Chiellini (right) defending Didier Drogba in 2013

Chiellini started as a left-back but became a powerful centre-back. He was known for being aggressive, strong, and good at tackling. He was also great at scoring goals with his head from set-pieces.

He could play in different defensive setups. His former manager called him "a force of nature" because he was so strong. Many people consider him one of the best defenders in football history.

Chiellini was an "old-fashioned" defender who focused on winning the ball. He often played alongside a defender who was good at passing, like Bonucci. His physical style and chest-beating celebration earned him the nickname "King Kong".

Even as he got older, he improved his technique and adapted his game. He became more thoughtful in his play, making fewer fouls. He was also a great leader on the field, known for his dedication and strong mentality.

The defensive trio of Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini (the BBC) is considered one of the best in football history. Chiellini was a popular captain for both Juventus and Italy. He was known for helping his teammates stay calm during important games.

Managerial Career

After retiring as a player, Chiellini joined Los Angeles FC again. On January 16, 2024, he became a Player Development Coach for the team. He left this role on July 16, 2024.

Women’s Football

On September 25, 2024, Chiellini announced he is now an investor in Mercury/13. This is a network of women's football clubs, including FC Como Women in Italy. He was inspired to invest after seeing the growth of women's football in the U.S. while playing for Los Angeles FC.

He said he wants to help create new opportunities for female athletes. He also wants to help the sport grow even more around the world.

Outside of Football

In March 2022, Chiellini wrote an article about racism in football. He spoke about how important it is to fight discrimination in the sport.

In May 2024, Chiellini joined Fox Sports as a studio analyst. He helped cover the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament.

Personal Life

In July 2014, Chiellini married his long-time girlfriend, Carolina Bonistalli. They have two daughters together.

He has appeared in the FIFA video game series. He was even on the cover of the Italian editions of FIFA 10 and FIFA 11.

In 2017–18, Chiellini was featured in the Netflix show First Team: Juventus. In 2020, he released his autobiography called Io, Giorgio. The money from the book went to a charity.

When he was growing up, Chiellini supported Manchester United Football Club.

Honours

Chiellini holding the UEFA European Championship trophy, his only international trophy for Italy

Livorno

Serie C1: 2001–02

Juventus

Serie A: 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
Serie B: 2006–07
Coppa Italia: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2020–21; runner-up: 2011–12
Supercoppa Italiana: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020
UEFA Champions League runner-up: 2014–15, 2016–17

Los Angeles FC