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Leonardo Bonucci, a football legend for Italy and Juventus, has declared his retirement from the sport at the conclusion of next season after an 18-year career.
The 36-year-old defender has had a dazzling career filled with accolades and has become a legend for both Juventus and Italy.
Before entering his last season playing professional football, Bonucci will be looking to win the Europa League with Juventus this year.
In a series of interviews with the club's YouTube channel to commemorate his 500th Juventus game, Bonucci reveals he will retire from the sport in 2024./
Following a discussion on the influence of former Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, Bonucci announces his decision to retire from football.
According to Bonucci, "A defensive era, a way of defending Italian style, will come to an end when I stop playing next year."
"To rank among the best is a source of pride." I sincerely hope that many defenders in the future will look up to Baresi, Maldini, Nesta, and Cannavaro as they did.
"It would imply that we accomplished a great deal and gave the game a lot," he continued.
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 played 500 times for the Italian powerhouses, with his most recent appearance coming as a substitute in a recent tie with Sevilla.
Alongside center-back partner Giorgio Chiellini, who departed Juventus last year to finish out his playing career in the MLS, the defender was a key component of a renowned Italy and Juventus defense.
With Juventus, Bonucci has won the Italian top division eight times, as well as four Italian Cups and five Super Cups during a highly successful period.
