Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta praises Giorgio Chiellini | OneFootball

Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta expressed his pride in seeing Giorgio Chiellini named Italy captain after Gianluigi Buffon stepped aside.

Long-time Juventus captain wore the armband against Poland in Italy’s Nations League match on Friday, delighting the club’s CEO.

“There are many Juventus players all over the world on international duty and that is reason to be proud,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.

“We are very proud that Chiellini is the captain of this Italy, as it often happens that a Juventus player wears the armband for the Nazionale.”

Club legend goalkeeper Dino Zoff agreed that Chiellini is the proper selection to lead the Azzuri. Zoff played 11 seasons for Juventus and also captained Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup.

“The armband remains a burden, which carries a lot of responsibility and isn’t taken lightly,” he told La Stampa. “He’s the right choice for his experience and charisma. He’s a decent lad, who’s hard but fair.”