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

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

Serie AJuve have last-gasp winner ruled out by VAR; three players, Allegri sent off in injury time11/09/2022 AT 18:13 »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. An ‘assist machine’ with ‘shades of Leao’ – Who is Juve’s English starlet Iling-Junior? ‘He turns into prime Zidane’ – Walker compares Gundogan's late-season form to France legend Man Utd interested as Mane set to leave Bayern after one season — Paper Round 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