If Giorgio Chiellini were a movie villain, he’d be Loki or, since it’s Christmas, Hans Gruber from “Die Hard.” You know he’s a bad guy and you know he’s about to do something fiendish, but whether because of the goofiness or the smile or the belief that deep down, there’s good in him, you kinda like him. Consider this moment from Euro 2020. It’s the coin flip before the penalty shootout in the semifinal between Italy and Spain. Tension everywhere except on his face, which has a massive smile, and it quickly turns into joking, happy-clappy man-handling of his opposite number, Jordi Alba, which ends with Chiellini picking him up in a bear hug. It’s a squeeze that is no doubt affectionate, but also signals “I’m in charge, little man …”
Giorgio Chiellini’s popularity as a player extends beyond his accomplishments on the field. Despite spending 17 seasons at Juventus and winning numerous Serie A titles, he was never the public enemy amongst the anti-Juve contingent. Part of the reason for this may be attributed to his enduring underdog quality. Chiellini was more of a throwback defender, relying on strength, athleticism, and quickness rather than elegance and technical prowess. His partnership with Leo Bonucci epitomized this dynamic, with Bonucci serving as the gifted passer and Chiellini as the powerhouse enforcer. They complemented each other’s strengths and formed a formidable defensive duo.
Throughout his career, Chiellini demonstrated remarkable growth and intelligence. He became smarter with age, compensating for any decline in physicality with quickness of the mind. His ability to read situations and opponents proved instrumental in his success. Chiellini’s dedication to studying opponents allowed him to anticipate their moves and disrupt their comfort zones. Education played a significant role in his development as a player as well, with Chiellini earning both a BA in economics in 2010 and an MBA in 2017 while actively playing.
Chiellini’s influence extended beyond his performance as a player. He embraced his role as captain, often taking on the responsibility of distracting and relieving pressure from his teammates. His charismatic personality and leadership skills made him the unquestioned leader in both the Juve dressing room and the Italian national team. Despite initial skepticism, Roberto Mancini’s decision to pair Chiellini with Bonucci at Euro 2020 proved to be a brilliant choice. Their experience and guidance proved invaluable to a young and inexperienced Italian side.
Looking ahead, Giorgio Chiellini has expressed a desire to return to the world of football in an executive role, ideally at Juventus. His dream is to join the club where his twin brother, Claudio, works as a lawyer. Considering the turbulence Juventus has experienced in recent years, including points penalties, board resignations, and financial losses, the return of a Chiellini presence could be a much-needed stabilizing force. If he does make a comeback, Chiellini will undoubtedly be embraced once again as a folk hero by Juventus supporters, while his opponents will continue to struggle in finding reasons to despise this enigmatic defender.
A Final Note
Giorgio Chiellini’s career is a testament to the power of character, adaptability, and intelligence. He defied expectations, winning hearts and admiration despite being a part of one of the most successful and polarizing clubs in Serie A history. His on-field brilliance was matched by his off-field influence and leadership. Chiellini’s ability to read the game and his opponents set him apart and allowed him to maintain a remarkably low number of red cards for a player of his intensity and style. As his journey on the pitch comes to an end, Giorgio Chiellini’s legacy as a player and a leader will undoubtedly be remembered with great appreciation and fondness.
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