Italy and Juventus captain Leonardo Bonucci will retire at the end of next season after glittering career

ByJames Hilsum

Published 17/05/2023 at 14:30 GMT+1

One of this generation's greatest defenders has confirmed his decision to retire at the end of the 2023-24 season. Leonardo Bonucci has enjoyed a stellar career after winning nine Serie A titles, four Italian Cups and the European Championships. The 36-year-old recently marked his 500th appearance for Juve against Sevilla in their Europa League semi-final first leg last Thursday.

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Juventus defender and Italy captain Leonardo Bonucci has announced his intention to retire at the end of next season.

The 36-year-old made the announcement on the Juventus club YouTube channel, and will retire when his contract at the club expires next summer.

He said: "Wearing this shirt has been like living a dream for 12 years.

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"Everything I've done has been for a shirt that for me is like a second skin.

"There's still a little boy inside who is so happy to wear this shirt and take to the field in it because it was his dream - a dream come true."

Bonucci is widely regarded as one of the greatest centre-backs of his generation, in a career glittering with major honours.

He won nine Serie A titles, including eight in a row with the Bianconeri between 2011-12 and 2019-20. His first league title came at Inter Milan in 2005-06.

Bonucci was on the losing side in the final of Euro 2012 following a 4-0 defeat to Spain, but experienced redemption nine years later after getting his hands on the trophy after victory over England at Wembley.

The 36-year-old recently marked his 500th appearance for Juve against Sevilla in their Europa League semi-final first leg last Thursday. He also holds 120 caps for Italy, scoring eight goals.

"When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era - a way of defending Italian style," he added.

"It's a source of pride to be up there with the greatest. I hope lots of future defenders will see us as idols - just as we did with (Franco) Baresi, (Alessandro) Nesta, (Paolo) Maldini and (Fabio) Cannavaro.

"It would mean we have achieved a lot and given the game a lot."

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