News Focus
- Giorgio Chiellini says missing three World Cups in a row has left deep wounds he still feels today
- The Italian legend claims the national team has reached its lowest point in history
- He points to the Under-17 side’s success as proof that young talent can save Italian football
- Chiellini demands a united plan from the federation to fix structural problems
Giorgio Chiellini has issued a stark warning about the state of Italian football. The former Azzurri captain admits the nation has fallen to its lowest level after missing three World Cup tournaments in a row.
Speaking at the Serie A Festival in Parma, the Juventus Director of Football Strategy did not hide his pain. He said the first two failures hurt him personally. Those memories remain fresh wounds.
“We cannot act like nothing is wrong,” Chiellini stated. “Failing to reach three World Cups is hard to accept. We need deep thought to find our lost identity.”
However, the retired defender sees light at the end of the tunnel. He praised Italy’s Under-17 team for reaching the European Championship final. This success proves young stars exist in the country.
“The players are there,” he said. “But we must guide them better. Something is missing, yet we have a solid base to build upon.”
Chiellini stressed that Italian football needs a shared plan. Every part of the game must work together. He warned against making excuses or hiding from the truth.
“We have touched the lowest point,” he said. “We hope it does not get worse. Now we need a real project. The federation and all of us must start a serious journey to fix this.”