Leonardo Bonucci has shaped Italian soccer as a top central defender for many years. At the age of 37, he will now hang up his boots
As his current club Fenerbahce Istanbul announced on Saturday, Bonucci will play his last game as a professional on Sunday evening on the final matchday of the Turkish Süper Lig. With the traditional club from the Turkish capital, where the Italian has only been under contract since the winter, Bonucci could celebrate another championship as the crowning glory, but will have to hope that league leaders Galatasaray slip up.
Last stops in Berlin and Istanbul
The 37-year-old has only made brief appearances since February due to minor injuries, making a total of twelve appearances for Fenerbahce in the second half of the season. And even before that, during his time at Union Berlin, where he played in the first half of the last season, he no longer played the decisive role of his successful years. In addition to seven appearances in the Bundesliga (one goal), he made three appearances in the top flight, where he was unable to make his mark on the Iron’s game as hoped.
14 titles with Juve
Bonucci spent his most successful time in Italy. Apart from one year at AC Milan (2017/18), the central defender became a club icon at Juventus Turin. There he celebrated eight Italian championships and four cup wins. In total, he appeared 431 times on the pitch in Serie A.
The veteran played 121 international matches for the Italian national team. The highlight of his career came in 2021, when he and Italy were crowned European champions. In 2016, Bonucci was voted Italy’s Footballer of the Year
