Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci has announced he would retire from professional football at the end of next season.
On Tuesday, May 16, Bonucci announced his retirement from professional football on the Juventus YouTube account, calling his decision “the end of an era.”
In an interview with the official Juventus website, Bonucci acknowledged his delight in his lengthy affiliation with the Bianconeri and voiced optimism that future generations of young defenders at the club would regard him and his colleagues as role models to emulate.
He said:”I will stop playing next year, and I believe an era will end. It gives me great pride to have been there, and I hope that one day many young players in the Juventus defense will look up to us as idols.”
While announcing his retirement, he also made mention of former Juventus teammates Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, and Andrea Barzagli. They were the backbone of Juve’s team for many years, but only Bonucci is still with the club.
Who is Leonardo Bonucci?
Leonardo Bonucci is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Juventus and captains the Italy national team.
His age
He was born on May 1, 1987. He is 36 years old right now.
His playing style
Bonucci, regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation, is recognized for his technique, ball-playing abilities, tackling, and ability to play in a three or four-man defense.
Leonardo Bonucci’s club career
Bonucci made his professional debut with Inter Milan in 2006.
But he is best renowned for his time with Juventus when he developed an incredible partnership with Chiellini for both Juve and Italy.
Bonucci joined Juventus in 2010 and has remained there ever since, except for the 2017-18 season, which he spent on loan at AC Milan.
The 36-year-old Italian has made exactly 500 club appearances.
And the no-nonsense defender has won the Serie A title nine times, eight with Juventus and once with Inter Milan.
Bonucci’s presence on the field and leadership off the field have been critical in molding the club’s success over the years.
He will retire with nine Serie A, four Coppa Italia, five Supercoppa Italiana, and two more UEFA Champions League runners-up medals at the end of next season.
Leonardo Bonucci’s International Career
He was a major figure for Italy on the international stage, garnering an incredible 120 caps for the national team.
He played in two FIFA World Cups (2010 and 2014), three European Championships (2012, 2016, and 2020), and one FIFA Confederations Cup (2013) for the Azzurri.
His international career culminated when he played a critical role in Italy’s Euro 2020 victory, claiming the prized championship.
Bonucci also won a silver medal at Euro 2012 and a bronze medal in the 2013 Confederations Cup.
Individual recognition
Bonucci has also received various individual accolades for his efforts, including selection to the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season in 2013-14 and 2017-18, as well as selection to the Serie A Team of the Year four times.
In 2016, he was crowned Serie A Footballer of the Year and was also named to the UEFA Team of the Year in the same season.
In 2017, he was also named to the FIFA FIFPro World11 and the IFFHS Men’s World Teams, as well as the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season for 2016-17 and the ESM Team of the Year for 2016-17.
Leonardo Bonucci’s Contract and Salary
Leonardo Bonucci gets £200,000 per week and £10,400,000 per year as a Juventus player.
According to reports, Bonucci’s net worth is believed to be £75,660,000.
