Former Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini admits that it’s hard to be so far away from Turin at the moment: ‘it’s not easy for everyone who loves the club.’ The Bianconeri legend spent almost his entire career with The Old Lady before leaving last summer to join MLS side LAFC and while speaking with The Athletic, he admitted it’s difficult to be apart from the team, given the difficulties they’re currently facing on and off the pitch:
“For me, it’s painful, I feel sad and hurt by what’s happening to Juventus. It’s hard not to be in Turin, and it’s not easy for everyone who loves the club. Now, the fans need to be patient because the club is fighting for everyone, and I hope everything finishes in the best way possible.
“On the pitch, they have to think match by match, and we’ll see at the end of the season. As for what’s happening in court, we don’t know — it could be bad, or it could be good. With the responsibility I had at the club, it is tough to be away from the team.
“I have the hunger still because I am enjoying my life every day. This opportunity has provided me with a new life and a different experience for my family.
“For that, and because I am a professional, I will come here and give 100 per cent every day. I like to be a big brother to my teammates; it’s important to me. I want to leave them something (from my time here). The first thing I said to my teammates is that I want to be remembered as a good person and a big brother more than a player. Though it’s impossible for me to play 100 per cent of the games, I want to be a good player, but my biggest mission is to have good relationships and help my teammates.
“The World Cup was weird, to be honest. I didn’t watch very much — it wasn’t nice. I caught up on some of the highlights but almost never the live matches, outside of the final and the USMNT’s first game against Wales, because I was still here for that. It was tough not to be there for it because going to the World Cup is a big goal. It would have been a great experience, but I try to change the bad things and look at them more positively. Failing at World Cup qualification meant I decided to come to Los Angeles for a new challenge, and it has been an unforgettable experience for me.”
