MLS Cup could be final bow for Giorgio Chiellini and Carlos Vela

Former Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini and ex-Mexico striker Carlos Vela head into Saturday's MLS Cup game against the Columbus Crew knowing that their contracts run out after the game. And while both players insist their minds are totally focused on another title, to follow last year's victory over the Philadelphia Union, they also admit their personal futures are up in the air.

For the 39-year-old Chiellini, Saturday's game at Lower.com stadium could even be his last ever in the professional game. The former Juventus defender, who won nine Serie A titles with the Turin club and also captained Italy to their Euro 2020 triumph, says he will ponder his future after the final.

"The club has been open with me and has given me the total freedom to decide," Chiellini told a news conference on Thursday. "I still am in doubt. I have to understand what I have to follow - my head or my heart?" he said. "Next week I will talk with my family and try to understand better what's next and the right decision. Yeah, it could be (my last game), could not be, we'll see. But now I'm really enjoying everything," he added.

Chiellini, who has struggled with injuries at times this season, has talked of a possible future in coaching or in the media but is clearly enjoying life in California with his young family and says he certainly won't leave the area until the end of the school year in June. Vela, five years younger, isn't thinking of hanging up his boots just yet but having been with LAFC since their arrival in MLS in 2018, he remains unsure of where he will be playing next season.

For the MLS Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player in 2019, who made 72 appearances for his country and played in Spain for Real Sociedad after struggling to make an