ITALY legend Giorgio Chiellini has quit playing aged 39 – but a moving retirement message failed to prevent a savaging from England fans.
The “master of the dark arts” remains unforgiven for a famous foul on Three Lions winger Bukayo Saka in the Azzurri’s Euro 2020 final triumph.
The all-time great defender called his career “the most beautiful and intense journey of my life” in a poetic farewell online.
But many England followers can’t forget his “outrageous” cynicism in hauling Saka down by the neck to curb danger at Wembley in July 2021.
The Arsenal hero was surging clear in extra time during a 1-1 draw when Chiellini dragged him over – before Italy won 3-2 on penalties.
So the Juventus icon’s emotional announcement as he bowed out as a player didn’t go down too well with a large batch of Three Lions fans.
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Chiellini posted a highlights video interspersed with him flicking through an album of collectors’ cards and stickers over 23 years.
The 117-cap icon also wrote: “You have been my everything. With you I have travelled a unique and unforgettable path.
“But now it is time to start new chapters, face new challenges and write further important and exciting pages of life.”
But the heartfelt words of the nine-time Serie A winner, who has spent the last two seasons in the MLS with LAFC, drew a mixed response online.
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One fan posted: “I would respect you for what you said, only if you didn’t pull Saka by the neck in that Euro’s final.”
Another said, “Saka will never forget him” and a third wrote: “Happy retirement… you cost Saka his first England gold medal.”
But some supporters mixed anger at the incident with recognition for the two-time Champions League runner-up doing the dirty things so well.
One wrote: “Dragging Bukayo Saka down to the core of the Earth in the Euro 2020 final was one of the last great football moments. Outrageous, superb behaviour that must be respected. “
And this verdict was similar: “Chiellini was an old school defender. Pulling Saka down in the Euros final just embodied the dark arts. You have to respect someone this good at their craft.”
Chiellini himself has admitted he “grabbed him good!” when discussing the Saka incident.
He claimed the moment was a “symbol of Euro 2020” and followed “one of the only mistakes” he made at the tournament.
Chiellini admitted he thought he could shepherd the ball out – then upended Saka when he realised he couldn’t.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
