'It could be my last game' - Italy legend and ex-Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini drops retirement hint ahead of MLS Cup showdown with LAFC against the Columbus Crew

Ahead of MLS Cup final between LAFC and the Columbus Crew on Saturday, the Italian defender spoke with media on Thursday. When asked about the idea of potentially retiring after the end of the current MLS season, Chiellini mentioned the idea was weighing on his mind - and body.

"I have to understand what I need to follow: My head, my heart or my legs, many different calls... It could be [my last game], we'll see," he said in a press conference Thursday.

He added to The Athletic: "I don’t know, to be honest. The club is very open to me, and that’s important to me. I have to talk with the family and understand our goals. But I’ll stay in Los Angeles until June next year for sure. We’ll see."

At 39-years-old, Chiellini is one of the oldest players in all of MLS, and his storied career at club and international level has seen him log over 700 total career matches. Now, as he nears the end, he has to listen to both his mind and body to determine if he is capable of playing one more year at a high and competitive level. If not, though, there are still options on the table of ways to stay in the professional game for the Italian, with a "return to Juventus" potentially on the cards.

The Italian added to The Athletic's report that "Yeah. I don’t want to be a liar — in my future, I see Juventus. I don’t know in what position, but it’s somewhere where I have spent almost half of my life. I’m still really connected to every one of them and I’m very happy they’re doing a good season. I’m looking forward to getting back to the stadium and watching them over the Christmas break, but I’m in no rush. I’m enjoying my life here with my family."

MLS Cup is on Saturday, and the Italian has the chance to go back-to-back with club LAFC. In 2022, they defeated the Philadelphia Union in extra-time courtesy of an epic six-goal thriller followed by a penalty shootout. Now, they travel to take on the Columbus Crew looking to add to their trophy cabinet.