Leonardo Bonucci (here in the Juventus jersey) ends his active football career on Sunday. © ANSA / Roberto Bregani / FTJ

Leonardo Bonucci ends his active football career

Leonardo Bonucci will end his active football career on Sunday. His current club Fenerbahçe Istanbul announced this on Saturday.

26 Maj 2024

From: apa/dpa

In a photo on social media, the team says goodbye to the Italian 2021 European champions and presents him with a signed jersey. Fenerbahçe can still become champions on the final matchday of the Turkish Süper Lig, but they have to hope that league leaders Galatasaray slip up.

The 37-year-old Bonucci did not play the desired role at Fenerbahçe, as he did during his six-month stint at Bundesliga club 1. FC Union Berlin. He has played a total of twelve games for the top Turkish club so far, but since the end of February he has only had short appearances due to minor injuries.

Leonardo Bonucci (on the right in a duel with superstar Jude Bellingham) was also a great support for Italy's national team for a long time. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

Bonucci's signing caused a huge stir in Berlin last summer. However, under Union coaches Urs Fischer and Nenad Bjelica, he only played seven league games and three appearances in the Champions League. In the winter Bonucci then moved on to Istanbul.

Most successful time in Italy

Previously, Bonucci spent his entire career in Italy, the longest and most successful time at Juventus. He became Italian champion nine times and Italian cup winner five times. He played 431 times in Serie A and played 121 international matches for the Italian national team. In 2016, Bonucci was also named Italy's Footballer of the Year.