Former Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has paid tribute to Claudio Marchisio.

The veteran midfielder is set to announce his retirement today.

Cobolli Gigli told TMW: "I met the boy, his first goal in A in Florence I saw and experienced.

"I respected the boy for this basic seriousness, true, he was and is a person of a level, a great champion. Then he had an injury that reduced his athletic ability but I considered him significant in my Juventus and in my national team.

"Now his seriousness comes out: after having had surgery, he decided to quit. He is a serious Piedmontese: he gave up playing in an easier football, for a few million euros, he gave up the sunset.

"I want to send him a big hello and good luck for his future life."