In a professional career that spanned 20 seasons and 117 appearances for the Italian National Team, Giorgio Chiellini has played with and against some of the football world’s top players of all-time. Below is a list of just five of the top players he has teamed up with over the years.
1) Cristiano Ronaldo (2018-2021): CR7 has spent most of his career entrenched in the argument for World's best player, and while that wasn't enough to help Manchester United to a successful season this year, it puts the Portuguese striker on this list. Ronaldo arrived at Juventus as the long-time talisman of Real Madrid, hoping to replicate the Champions League success he enjoyed in Spain, sometimes at Juve's expense (see 2017 Champions League final). The Champions League title did not come - but Ronaldo did put on a show during his time with Chiellini and Juventus to the tune of 101 goals in three seasons.
2) Gigi Buffon (2005-2018, 2019-2021): Gianluigi Buffon is one of the world's legendary goalkeepers, and much like Chiellini, Buffon spent the vast majority of his illustrious career at Juventus. He is arguably the greatest Juventus player ever; no player has appeared more for Juventus (489) and no Italian has suited up for the national team more times (176). He currently plays for his boyhood club Parma on a contract that runs until he is 46 years old.
3) Andrea Pirlo (2011-2015): The maestro arrived at Juventus at the dawn of the team's nine-year title reign and stayed for the first four seasons. The midfielder, one of the best in the world at every kind of pass there is, brought a grace to Juve that was balanced by Chiellini's brutish defensive style. When these two legends crossed paths, their collaboration produced nothing but success for Juventus. In 2016, the Italian champions got within one win of club football's biggest prize, the UEFA Champions League, before Messi and Barcelona won the title. After that match, Pirlo departed the club and joined New York City Football Club for its second season in MLS.
4) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2005-2006): There is no way to keep Zlatan Ibrahimovic off this list. The Black & Gold hold no love for the former Galaxy striker, but long before he played in Carson, the eccentric Swede and Giorgio Chiellini spent a season together as young men with Juventus. Chiellini's first season with Juventus was Ibrahimovic's second and final with the club. After 23 goals in 70 appearances between 2004-2006, Zlatan flipped to Serie A rival Inter Milan, where he would stay until his ascent to Barcelona in 2009.
5) Dani Alves (2016): Brazilian defender Dani Alves spent eight seasons with Barcelona at the height of its powers between 2008-2016. He arrived in Turin as one of the most highly regarded center backs in the world. Since then, his legend has only grown: Today, Alves is the most decorated player in the history of football with 46 titles at the senior level (47 overall). He made 33 appearances alongside Chiellini, winning the 2016–17 Serie A title and 2016–17 Coppa Italia in his one season with Juventus.
