The Italian defender who is currently defending Fenerbahce, Leonardo Bonucci, said goodbye to football. Bonucci is ready to close his career as a footballer at the age of 37 at the giant Turkish club, Fenerbahce.
“The Italian defender, Leonardo Bonucci, who joined us in the mid-season transfer window, will end his career as a footballer tomorrow,” read a release issued by Fenerbahce on Saturday (25/5/2024). Bonucci wants to stop with the trophy. The defender, who is known for his excellent ability to pass the ball, will play his final match in the final week of the 2023-2024 Turkiye League.
The Fenerbahce vs Istanbulspor duel on Sunday (26/5/2024) evening, which is crucial in determining the Turkiye League champion title, will also include Bonucci’s farewell. “It is an honor for me to be part of this extraordinary family,” said Bonucci on the official Fenerbahce website. “I will try to give my best, on and off the field, but most importantly, will fight in our final battle tomorrow,” said Bonucci.
Bonucci et al still have a chance to win the 2023-2024 Turkiye League. The condition is that Fenerbahce must defeat Istanbulspor while, the leaders of the standings, Galatasaray, lose to Konyaspor. “I want to end my career with a trophy and we have the opportunity to become champions tomorrow (today),” said Bonucci, who helped lead Italy to win Euro 2020.
Approaching the closing week of the 2023-2024 Turkiye League, Bonucci received a special gift in the form of a Fenerbahce jersey signed by all team personnel. He joined Fenerbahce after a short and unpleasant spell at German club Union Berlin.
In addition, the player born in Viterbo spent much of his career with Juventus. Bonucci defended Juventus from 2010 to 2023. This long period of service was punctuated by one season defending AC Milan in 2017-2018.
With Juventus, Giorgio Chiellini’s like-minded partner won eight Italian League titles and four Coppa Italia titles. Bonucci is also recorded as having defended his country, Italy, 121 times with eight goals. One of the goals was scored in the Euro 2020 final against England at Wembley Stadium.
