Messi trains with Argentina as Chiellini eyes 'beautiful' end to Italy career at Wembley

Chiellini, 37, set to win 117th and final Italy cap at the scene of his greatest international triumph

Lionel Messi takes part in an Argentina training session at Wembley Stadium, London, Tuesday May 31, 2022. AP

Argentina captain Lionel Messi leads his team out for a training session ahead of the Finalissima Conmebol - UEFA Cup of Champions match against Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, Britain, 31 May 2022. Latin American champions Argentina will play European champions Italy in the Finalissima on 1 June 2022. EPA

Lionel Messi of Argentina trains at Wembley Stadium. Getty Images

Lionel Messi listens to Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni. Getty Images

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini and Lionel Messi of Argentina shake hands. Getty Images

Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, takes part in a training session at Wembley Stadium. AP

Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi takes part in a warmup. EPA

Argentina striker Lionel Messi attends a team training session at Wembley. AFP

Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi smiles. EPA

Lionel Messi (C) trains with Argentina teammates on the eve of the Finalissima Conmebol. EPA

Argentina national team captain Lionel Messi, right, and teammate Giovani Lo Celso. EPA

Lionel Messi of Argentina warms up. Getty Images

Argentina's Lionel Messi speaks to manager Lionel Scaloni. PA

PSG teammates Marco Verratti of Italy and Lionel Messi of Argentina. Getty Images

Lionel Messi of Argentina kicks the ball. Getty Images

Argentina captain Lionel Messi. AFP

Giorgio Chiellini believes it will be "beautiful" to end his international career against Lionel Messi's Argentina at Wembley on Wednesday after leading Italy to Euro 2020 glory at the London ground last year.

The now 37-year-old was a key figure, both as captain and defender, when Italy beat hosts England on penalties in the final of a tournament that was delayed some 12 months by the coronavirus pandemic.

Now the Azzurri face the South American continental champions in the inaugural Finalissima at Wembley on Wednesday, a match where Chiellini is set to win his 117th and last cap.

Messi took part in a training session with the rest of Lionel Scaloni's squad at the stadium on Tuesday.

Asked about ending his international career against Argentina, Chiellini told Uefa.com: "It's beautiful.

"Argentina have exceptional players. It's obvious that the first one who comes to your mind is Messi but the others around him are fantastic. They didn't win [the Copa America] by accident.

"Messi is a football icon. It's not for me to say if he is the greatest of all time or not. It will just be a pleasure to play my last game for the national team against him.

"It has been, without a doubt, better than I could ever have imagined. When you're a kid, you dream of playing for the national team, because that's the ultimate.

"The thought of being able to play more than 100 games over the course of 18 years, being captain, and lifting an important cup like I did last year at Wembley was the icing on the cake."

Chiellini played his last game for Juventus after 17 years at the Turin club in a 2-0 defeat away to Fiorentina on May 21. Juve ended the season without a trophy and could only finish fourth in Serie A. They also lost the Coppa Italia final to Inter Milan 4-2 after extra time.

Chiellini signed for Juve in 2004 and has helped the Turin giants win a glut of trophies including nine consecutive Serie A titles from 2012 to 2020 and five Italian cups.