02 October 2017
It was only a matter of time.
Heading into Sunday’s match against Atalanta, Giorgio Chiellini was tied for 10th place with Antonio Cabrini in Juventus’ all-time list of highest appearances.
Now, after starting in Bergamo, the iconic centre-back rubber-stamped his place in the Bianconeri’s Top 10 longest-serving players with exactly 441 appearances to his name for the time being.
For a club of Juventus’ grand and glorious history, this is a very special achievement and one that reflects the sheer dedication and commitment – not to mention the consistency of quality in his performances – that Juventus’ vice-captain has invested in the black and white stripes.
Signed in 2004 and a virtually permanent fixture for the Bianconeri since returning from a season-long loan with Fiorentina in 2005, Chiellini has built a reputation as one of Europe’s greatest defenders, forming a crucial component of Juve’s and Italy’s world-famous backlines down the years, not to mention being a mainstay throughout La Vecchia Signora's legendary six Scudetto-winning seasons on the spin.
Bravery personified, the Tuscan represents in many ways an old school of no-nonsense defending, characterised by tough tackling and putting his head where it hurts, that has become a real rarity in the current game, but Chiello continues to put into practice week in, week out, for the good of the team.
Rock-solid at one end of the pitch, the towering defender has also proven highly effective at the other: 34 times he has hit the back of the opposition net before wheeling away in celebration, striking his chest with his fists in what has earned him the nickname ‘King Kong’ from his beloved supporters.
A force of nature out on the pitch and a genuine leader in the dressing room, as testified by his team-mates, Chiellini is simply a player you’d rather have on your team than the other way around 100 per cent of the time.
Fortunately for Juventus, the 33-year-old is just as committed to the Bianconeri cause as he ever has been.
He and we wouldn’t want it any other way.
