Giorgio Chiellini Recalls Barcelona Midfielder Arturo Vidal’s Drinking Habits At Juventus

Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini has opened up on former teammate Arturo Vidal claiming alcohol was his ‘weakness’ and also remembers the time Antonio Conte was ready to ‘kick him out’ of the squad.

Vidal made 171 appearances for Juve netting on 48 occasions, whilst also securing four Scudetti during his playing days with Chiellini between 2011 and 2015.

Chiellini recently released his book ‘Io, Giorgio’ on Tuesday, and received criticism from both Mario Balotelli and Felipe Melo with the pair unhappy by the comments made by the 35-year-old.

Next in the firing line was Vidal, with Chiellini taking a swipe at the Chile international and current Barcelona enforcer for his fondness for a drink. Vidal was previously involved in a car crash in his homeland whilst featuring for his nation at the 2015 Copa America, while under the influence of alcohol.

“A footballer isn’t a devil or a saint. The distinction to be made is quite another. That is, between those who are real and those who are fake,” he wrote in an excerpt leaked by SOS Fanta.

“Someone like Vidal sometimes went out and drank more than they should’ve. Everyone knew it. It can be said that alcohol was a bit of a weakness for him. However, that doesn’t put into question whether he is a champion or which type of person he is.

“Weaknesses are part of human nature. What matters are the consequences they can have on a squad. The great Arturo didn’t show up for training a couple of times a year or, when he did, let’s say he was rather merry.

“However, he never slacked. On the contrary, I think that sometimes, certain ways of being can make you stronger. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to know Paolo Montero that well. He was someone else who lived like a king at night.

“During his last season with us, when his performance levels had dropped, Moggi went to him and said: ‘Paolo, please stop staying at home in the evening. Go back to your old ways!’ Vidal was a bit like that.

“I still remember a pre-season tour in the US. We were in Miami the night before our last training session and were given hall passes. The next morning, Arturo was nowhere to be seen. He was in bed and he had to be physically dragged out.

“We also tried out our new training gear that day. We were all dressed in black, in 40°C heat: Conte couldn’t wait to kick him out of the squad and make an example out of him.

“Instead, after 10 minutes when Arturo still looked drunk and didn’t even see the ball go by, he ended up running like crazy and beat everyone else by 20 metres.

“What can you say to a person who, among other things, brings joy to a squad, as well as being someone who drives the team on and is both a fighter and a great champion?”

Vidal has been linked with a move away from Barcelona, potentially back to Serie A, with Inter Milan keen.

Should the 32-year-old head to the San Siro, it would see the defensive midfielder link up with Antonio Conte again who managed him during his time with the Old Lady.

The Chilean star has a cabinet full of trophies. Along with four Scudetti and a Coppa Italia, he has claimed three Bundesliga crowns with Bayern Munich and one La Liga title with Barça so far in his career. A winner indeed.