logo
Italian soccer great Giorgio Chiellini joins LAFC ownership group

Italian soccer great Giorgio Chiellini joins LAFC ownership group

Associated Press6 hours ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Italian soccer great Giorgio Chiellini will be returning to Los Angeles FC as part of the club's ownership group, the team said Tuesday.
The 40-year-old Chiellini, who spent nearly two decades playing for Italian club Juventus before joining LAFC in 2022, also spent time as a player development coach with the MLS team in 2024.
'Joining the LAFC ownership group is a great honor for me,' Chiellini said in a statement released by the team. 'When I arrived here three years ago as a player, I immediately felt that there was something special about this club. It is an ambitious organization, built by extraordinary people and supported by a community that truly makes you feel at home. That is why, last year, I expressed my desire to become an owner, and now I'm proud to continue this journey and give my support to a project I deeply believe in.'
Chiellini, one of the best defenders in the world during his 23-year professional career, retired in 2023. He won nine consecutive Serie A championships with Juventus and the Euro 2020 title with the Italian national team. His final two seasons were spent with LAFC, where he appeared in 45 matches, including seven in the MLS Cup Playoffs and three in the 2023 Leagues Cup.
During his many years with Juventus, Chiellini earned Serie A Defensive Player of the Year honors three times in addition to being named to the Italian league's Team of the Year five times.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Real Madrid's Club World Cup semi-final preparation disrupted by flight delay
Real Madrid's Club World Cup semi-final preparation disrupted by flight delay

New York Times

time3 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Real Madrid's Club World Cup semi-final preparation disrupted by flight delay

Real Madrid failed to attend their pre-match media activities ahead of Wednesday's Club World Cup semi-final against Paris St. Germain following a flight delay caused by storms in the Miami and New York areas. Coach Xabi Alonso's press conference and the mixed zone interview session with players Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde and Jacobo Ramón were initially scheduled for 7:30 and 7:45 pm ET respectively, at MetLife Stadium. Advertisement However, Madrid's scheduled 4 pm flight from the team's Miami base was delayed an hour by adverse weather conditions. FIFA initially delayed Alonso's press conference to 8:15 pm and made plans to scrap the mixed zone. The Athletic learned from a Madrid source at 7:28 pm that the team was still in mid-air and then, six minutes later, FIFA announced the cancellation of all Madrid press activities for the day. Madrid touched down safely at 8:52 pm. 'He's not coming?! Really?!' PSG coach Luis Enrique said, when informed by The Athletic that Alonso wouldn't do his press conference. 'It doesn't change anything to me, I didn't know about the flight, I hope they can arrive normally.' Madrid had initially planned to stay in New York ahead of the semifinal after defeating Borussia Dortmund in last weekend's quarterfinal. However, the club changed plans during the tournament. After investing heavily in their base in Palm Beach, Fla., the decision was made to return there while preparing for the final stages of the competition. The required attendance of media activities is covered under the Club World Cup's list of regulations, with section 4.3 (e) stating the clubs are responsible for 'attending all media conferences and other media activities organised by FIFA in accordance with the FIFA Media and Marketing Regulations, as well as with any other FIFA circular letters, guidelines, directives and/or decisions.' Section 4.5 adds: 'All participating clubs undertake to ensure that their players and officials attend and participate in all official activities and events including, without limitation, any Team Arrival Meeting, Match Coordination Meeting, press conference and other media and marketing activities in accordance with the FIFA Media and Marketing Regulations.' FIFA had not responded to a request for comment from The Athletic by the time of publication, but a Real Madrid spokesperson said the club was not anticipating any fine or discipline for missing out on its obligation.

A'ja Wilson exits game in first half vs. Liberty with wrist injury, will not return
A'ja Wilson exits game in first half vs. Liberty with wrist injury, will not return

New York Times

time21 minutes ago

  • New York Times

A'ja Wilson exits game in first half vs. Liberty with wrist injury, will not return

NEW YORK — Las Vegas Aces star A'ja Wilson suffered a right wrist injury in the second quarter of Tuesday's game with the New York Liberty and was ruled out for the game's second half, the team announced. She sustained the injury on a drive to the basket with 4:13 to play in the second quarter and fell hard after attempting a shot over Liberty center Nyara Sabally. Advertisement Wilson remained on the floor for more than a minute, and the entirety of Las Vegas' bench emptied and surrounded her. She was able to walk off the court under her own power and made one of two ensuing free throws. Wilson played less than two more minutes before exiting the game once again. The reigning WNBA MVP, who is set to appear in her seventh All-Star Game next week, sat the final 2:22 of the first half and was not on Las Vegas' bench as the third quarter began. Her pair of free throws from earlier in the game were her only points of the night. Wilson missed all three of her field goal attempts in the first half and finished with four rebounds and two assists. The Aces led 42-40 at halftime. This story will be updated.

Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier draft WNBA All-Star rosters, trade coaches
Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier draft WNBA All-Star rosters, trade coaches

New York Times

time26 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Caitlin Clark, Napheesa Collier draft WNBA All-Star rosters, trade coaches

In their first WNBA All-Star Game as honorary captains, Indiana's Caitlin Clark and Minnesota's Napheesa Collier had some fun and generated excitement while drafting their rosters for the contest, with highlights including a little bit of light trash talk, some obvious loyalties in their selections and a coach swap. Advertisement The first round consisted of a four-player draft to round out the starting lineups, while the second round consisted of picking six reserves. Leading off, Clark selected Fever teammate Aliyah Boston with her first pick and followed that up by choosing New York Liberty star Sabrina Ionescu, Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson and Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally. Collier, meanwhile, picked New York's Breanna Stewart with her first pick and followed that with Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray, Seattle veteran Nneka Ogwumike and fellow UConn star and current Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers. THE STAGE IS SET 🌟 Team Clark and Team Collier have locked in their final rosters for the 2025 @ATT WNBA All-Star Game! Watch them take the court in Indianapolis July 19 at 8:30pm/ET on ABC. — WNBA (@WNBA) July 9, 2025 Collier received the nod to pick first in the second round, choosing Courtney Williams. The rest of her bench consists of Seattle's Skylar Diggins, Chicago Sky second-year forward Angel Reese, Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas, who earned an All-Star nod for her fourth straight season, Sparks guard and 2022 All-Star MVP Kelsey Plum and Atlanta Dream forward Rhyne Howard. Clark's bench is made up of Indiana teammate Kelsey Mitchell, Seattle's Gabby Williams, Washington Mystics rookies Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, Las Vegas' Jackie Young and Golden State's Kayla Thornton. Following their player selections, Clark and Collier agreed to trade coaches. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello, who was originally set to lead Collier's squad, will now coach Clark's team. Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve will head Collier's team. The All-Star Game is Saturday, July 19 at 8:30 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Clark brought together her Fever trio by taking Boston and Mitchell with her first starter and reserve picks, respectively. Collier not only drafted her Lynx teammate Courtney Williams but also attempted to assemble as many UConn Huskies as possible. She selected four-time national champion Breanna Stewart with her first pick, but then went with Nneka Ogwumike over rookie Paige Bueckers. Clark allowed Bueckers to drop to the end of the first round but got a little payback by taking the final Husky, Gabby Williams, with her second reserve pick. Advertisement Collier also managed to secure her head coach, Cheryl Reeve. Reeve had originally been assigned to Team Clark as the coach with the best record, but the two captains traded to keep the Minnesota crew on one squad. Liberty coach Sandy Brondello will now helm Team Clark. Captains have previously used the All-Star draft as pseudo-free-agency tampering — A'ja Wilson selected Chelsea Gray and Candace Parker with her first picks before the pair joined the Aces — but Clark and Collier were more focused on uniting current teammates than future forecasting. — Sabreena Merchant, women's basketball writer While Clark wore Indiana Fever gear to the draft, Collier went with an Unrivaled shirt. She selected her Unrivaled co-founder, Stewart, first and collected her entire Lunar Owls squad of Gray, Courtney Williams and Diggins. The only player Collier selected who wasn't at least partially affiliated with Unrivaled (Bueckers is already signed for 2026, and Kelsey Plum was scheduled to play before opting to rest during the offseason) was Ogwumike. Meanwhile, Team Clark has seven players who weren't part of the three-on-three league, including Clark herself and Wilson. — Merchant The star sophomores haven't had much of a team rivalry since joining the WNBA, as the Fever have won five of six games against the Sky by an average of 18 points. They were also teammates on Team WNBA during the 2024 All-Star Game. However, this matchup will put the two on more equal footing, though Clark is on her home court. — Merchant

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store