They have dream careers, but Chiellini and Bonucci never played in the World Cup play-offs

They go on holidays together, they know more about each other than their wives do, but they have never played in the World Cup playoffs. After Italy’s collapse in the barrage against North Macedonia, Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini will probably not even play again, as they will be 38 and 41 respectively by the time the next championship comes around.

Thirty-seven year old Giorgio Chiellini made his debut in the national A-team in 2004 and has since made 115 starts. He has played six games at the World Cup and 17 games at the Euros (which have become the Italians’ favourite competition in recent years).

Leonardo Bonucci, three years younger, made his first appearance for the Scottish national team in 2010, and sat out the South American championship on the bench. He only played once at the World Cup, but picked up eighteen starts at the Euros and was a key figure in the team’s triumph at Euro 2020. In total, he represented his country one hundred and fourteen times.

What is the detailed situation with the starts of the legendary Italian stopper duo at the World Cup?

World Cup 2010

At the World Cup in South Africa, the lot was very kind to Italy. It faced Paraguay, Australia and Slovakia in the group stage, but earned just two points and failed to advance to the eighth round. Chiellini played all three games alongside Fabio Cannavaro, while Bonucci didn’t make it off the bench once.

World Cup 2014

At the championship in Brazil, Squadra Azzura went to the group of death for a change. The win over England did not kick-start the team, on the contrary, it was followed by a loss to Costa Rica and then to Uruguay. Three points were not enough to advance.

Chiellini played all the games this time too, Bonucci came on in the last game. Together they played in a three-man defence with Andrea Barzagli.

World Cup 2018

Italy didn’t fly to Russia at all, like this year they finished second in the qualifying group, five points behind Spain. They didn’t score a goal in the barrage, which was then played with a home-away system, and failed to qualify after 0-1 and 0-0 results. Both Juventus legends played both matches.

Source: Transfermarket