Juventus star to retire in 2024

Juventus star to retire in 2024

Stephen Oladehinde 12:34 - 17.05.2023

Leonardo Bonucci will call an end to his 18 years football career next season after establishing himself as one of football's greatest defenders.

The 36-year-old has had a dazzling career filled with accolades and has established himself as an Italian and Juventus great. 

The Italian defender is enjoying a stint season at Juventus and is gearing up for his final season of professional football by attempting to win the Europa League with Juventus this year.

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Bonucci speaks on retirement

Bonucci has made his intention known to the public that he will be retiring at the end of the 2023/2024 season during an interview.

The Italian was in an interview with the club's YouTube channel and explained why he is walking away from football in 2024 after an outstanding career representing Juventus.

Speaking in an interview, Bonucci said, “When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era, a way of defending Italian style.

“It's a source of pride to be up there with the greatest. I hope lots of future defenders just as we had Baresi, Maldini, Nesta andCannavaro, will see us four as idols. “It would mean we have achieved a lot and given the game a lot.”

Leonardo Bonucci in action for Juventus
Leonardo Bonucci in action for Juventus

Bonucci’s career

In 2010, after being thrown into the starting lineup for a Europa League match against Irish team Shamrock Rovers, Bonucci made his Juventus debut.

Since then, he has made 500 appearances for the Italian powerhouses, with his most recent appearance coming as a substitute in a recent tie with Sevilla.

Together with his centre-back partner Giorgio Chiellini, who left Juventus last year to finish out his playing career in the MLS, Bonucci also formed one of the strongest defensive combinations in Europe.

Together, the pair has seen significant success both at the club and international levels. Their most recent major accomplishment was leading Italy to a victory against England in the 2021 Euro final.

Eight times with Juventus, Bonucci won the Italian top division, and he also won four Italian Cups and five Super Cups during a very successful period.

Juventus will take on Sevilla in the second leg of the Europa League this week and Bonucci will be hoping he can help Juventus to another European final before playing his last season at the club.