Perhaps the most prolific moment of Leonardo Bonucci‘s career came at Wembley Stadium, equalising for Italy in the 67th minute of the European Championship 2021 finals. He then went on to score in the penalty shootout to make it 2-2 before Bukayo Saka’s miss sealed the title for the Azzurri.
The legendary defender has now announced his retirement from professional football, after spending the 23/24 season with Union Berlin for the first half, followed by Fenerbahce for the latter half.
Leonardo Bonucci announces retirement from football after illustrious career
🚨🇮🇹 Leonardo Bonucci retires from professional football, decision made.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 29, 2024
Former Juventus and Italian NT defender leaves after last season at Fenerbahçe.
“Bonucci and Chiellini… they could go to Harvard University to give classes about how to be a CB”, Mourinho said in 2018. pic.twitter.com/e6g1IVFo6B
Bonucci cannot be mentioned without his long-time partner in central defence for Juventus and Italy, Giorgio Chiellini. But while Chiellini stayed put in black and white since 2005, Leonardo Bonucci joined five years later after coming up through the Inter academy and spending several seasons on loan.
After signing for Genoa and Bari, he finally joined the Bianconeri in 2010, and went on to win eight Serie A titles in total, interrupted only by a move to Milan in 2017. The centre-back returned to Juventus just a year later, persuaded by Chiellini after a disappointing spell in black and red.
Bonucci won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana five times each, but failed to win the Champions League, albeit reaching the finals twice – in 14/15 and 16/17. Regardless, his physical presence and skill in defending will be missed, and it truly marks the end of an era in football, with both Bonucci and Chiellini now retired.
