Futbol Americas: Giorgio Chiellini Exclusive Interview

Sebastian Salazar (0:10)

Futbol Americas, live and under way here on ESPN Plus. Alongside Herculez Gomez, I'm Sebastian Salazar for What Is Episode 143, Herc in Show History. And this one, I have a feeling, will be truly historic.

Herculez Gomez (0:26)

You mean because of my shirt, the 8-bit Mano de Dios? Is that what you're saying, is it historic?

Sebastian Salazar (0:31)

Very nice, very nice. A throwback, a throwback here as well. This 1990 World Cup replica for the United States.

Herculez Gomez (0:39)

You decided to remind the US. Men's National Team fans of the worst World Cup in recent memory.

Sebastian Salazar (0:43)

Ah, well, they made it.

SPEAKER_4 (0:45)

At least they made it that year.

Sebastian Salazar (0:47)

You're forgetting about 2018

Herculez Gomez (0:49)

They did not, yes.

Sebastian Salazar (0:50)

We have quite a slew of guests scheduled for tonight's show. In just a little bit, you're gonna hear from Julian Araujo of the LA Galaxy and the Mexican national team as we look forward to El Trafico, of course, tomorrow night out there in La La Land. Speaking of rivalries, in the NWSL, we got San Diego Wave against Angel City, Sidney Leroux, who just got traded to Angel City, is scheduled to join us in studio in just a little bit, but we're gonna start with our first guest, a European champion, Herc, who is coming to Hollywood.

Giorgio Chiellini (2:01)

The attack sell tickets, the defense win the league. This is my goal and my target.

Sebastian Salazar (2:16)

Call it the LA Derby, call it the Classico Angelino, call it El Trafico.

But come tomorrow night, you may be calling it Giorgio Chiellini's Major League Soccer debut. That's right, the European champion set to join LAFC. And now, for the first time on Friday night, he'll be eligible to participate in MLS action. The aforementioned, Giorgio Chiellini, joining us now here on Futbol Americas. Giorgio, man, great to have you on the show. Great to have you in MLS.

Giorgio Chiellini (2:49)

I'm very happy to be here.

Sebastian Salazar (2:51)

Awesome. I'm reminded of a time, what is this now? Four years ago, 2018

It's the MLS All-Star game. Juventus is in Atlanta. And Herc, you know how it was, cause you were there. Like they send the Juventus players around to do the media. And most of these guys, they don't want to do it. But Giorgio was first in line.

Wanted to put the microphone on. He was all about it. And I was like, this guy loves it here. And he's going to love it in MLS. So Giorgio, what is Giorgio Chiellini doing his first few days in Los Angeles?

Giorgio Chiellini (3:20)

If you remember four years ago, I said maybe one time I would like to try and experience in MLS. And because I followed this league from many years ago and really would like to have this opportunity. And I'm here and very happy and proud to be chosen by the LAFC.

We start to talk in April. And I'm really excited and happy about this experience. Tomorrow we start in the best match I could choose. And yeah, I'm happy. We start, finally I'm available. I'm improving my fit in this day because I arrived after one month of season. And I try to maintain the shape as better as possible.

And now I improve it day by day. I'm very happy to play and train with my teammates. And tomorrow really we would like to win. It will be difficult. Galaxy against LAFC is the best match for us.

And but we're here and we want to win tomorrow.

Herculez Gomez (4:30)

I got a very important question. It's really the only question I care about. Alessandro Del Piero, have you seen him? Have you gone to the restaurant? What is it?

The 10, right?

Giorgio Chiellini (4:40)

I speak with him many times in the last months. He suggests me many things in LA, but he's still on holiday in Italy. And then I'm waiting for him to go to his restaurant when we arrive.

Sebastian Salazar (4:52)

Herc, have you gotten the invite to the restaurant? That's what I want to know.

Herculez Gomez (4:54)

Not yet, I'm still waiting.

Sebastian Salazar (4:55)

Not yet.

Giorgio Chiellini (4:58)

Maybe next time.

Sebastian Salazar (4:59)

All right, let's talk about expectations here, right? Because LAFC, even before they signed you, even before they signed Gareth Bale, Giorgio, they were already in first place. So now you guys come in, everybody around the league, everybody that covers this league says, LAFC is gonna win MLS Cup, and then beyond that, they're gonna be trouble in CONCACAF Champions League.