Chiellini To Retire From Italy Duty After 'Finalissima' Game

The 37-year-old has been a stalwart of the Azzurris backline since making his debut in 2004.

With 116 caps for Italy, only Gianluigi Buffon, Daniel De Rossi, Fabio Cannavaro and Paulo Maldini have made more appearances for the four-time world champions than Chiellini.

The pinnacle of his international career came at last summer's European championship, when he captained Italy to victory over England in the EURO 2020 final at Wembley, the same venue where he will bow out of international football.

He also suffered the ignominy of being part of the Italy squads that have failed to qualify for the last two FIFA World Cups.

Chiellini made the announcement after appearing as a second half substitute in Juventus' 2-1 win at Sassuolo in Serie A on Monday.

"I'll say goodbye to the national team at Wembley, which is where I experienced the pinnacle of my career winning the Euros," Chiellini told DAZN.

"I'd like to say goodbye to the Azzurri with a nice memory. That will certainly be my last game with Italy."

Chiellini is however undecided as to whether he will retire from club duties as well at the end of the season.

"My love affair with Juventus is not ending, it will never end," he added. "Of course, from now to the end of the season I do have to evaluate everything, talk to my family about what is best.

"Let's reach fourth place [in Serie A] first and win the Coppa Italia, then we'll sit down with my two families -- at home and Juventus -- to figure out what is best for everyone.

"It was the same last summer. I took time and didn't sign the new contract until after the Euros. At my age, you can't look too far into the long-term, but that's only natural, it's all fine."

Chiellini has made 22 appearances in all competitions for Juventus this season.

'Finalissima' will pit the champions of Europe against the champions of South America at Wembley on June 1.