Giorgio Chiellini has officially become one of the new owners of Los Angeles FC. The former Italian national team defender, best known for his long and successful spell at Juventus, retired from soccer at the end of 2023 after closing out his playing career with LAFC. Now, he’s stepping into a new role at the same club, but this time off the field.
Since early 2024, Chiellini had already been working behind the scenes, helping with player development at both the academy and first-team levels. In a statement shared by the club, he said it was the organization’s structure and strong identity that led him to join as an investor. “This is an ambitious club, built by exceptional people and backed by a community that truly makes you feel at home. That’s why I expressed my desire to become an owner last year. Now, I’m proud to support a project I deeply believe in.”
At 40, Chiellini joins a group of more than 30 LAFC co-owners, which includes high-profile names like Magic Johnson, Mia Hamm, Will Ferrell, and several investors from the sports and entertainment industries. His arrival adds another layer of credibility to a club that’s already seen as one of the most forward-thinking in Major League Soccer.
LAFC leads the league in market value and international presence
LAFC it’s also the league’s most valuable franchise. According to Forbes, the club is worth an estimated $1.25 billion, placing it ahead of Inter Miami, currently valued at $1.2 billion and led on the field by Lionel Messi.
In recent years, LAFC has become one of the most visible teams in MLS, thanks to both its infrastructure and its performances. The club represented the United States at the FIFA Club World Cup alongside Inter Miami. In that tournament, LAFC drew with Flamengo in the group stage but went on to lose to Chelsea and Espérance in later rounds.
Its stadium was the first in Los Angeles designed exclusively for soccer, helping to reinforce the club’s identity as a serious long-term project focused on growing the sport locally and nationally. Chiellini’s move into ownership fits naturally into that vision.
He’s no stranger to leadership
Chiellini came up through Livorno’s youth system, spent time at Fiorentina, and then built his legacy at Juventus, where he played from 2005 to 2022. Over 423 appearances, he scored 27 goals and lifted 20 trophies, including nine Serie A titles, five Coppa Italia wins, five Supercoppas, and a Serie B title.
On the international stage, he represented Italy 117 times. He played in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and helped the Azzurri win the 2020 European Championship, standing out as one of the best defenders in the tournament. Across his career, Chiellini earned a reputation as one of the most respected center backs of his generation.
He joined LAFC in 2022 and played two seasons in the United States. After retiring in late 2023, he stayed close to the club, shifting into a developmental role focused on helping players grow. That connection eventually led to something bigger, and by July 2025, he had officially become part of the club’s ownership group.