Leonardo Bonucci has played for Juventus since 2010 with one break. According to media reports, Italy’s record champions should no longer plan with the captain.
Leonardo Bonucci has played for Juventus since 2010 with one break. According to a report, the club should no longer plan with its captain. Former Schalke player Weston McKennie also has to go.
As reported by Italian media, the 36-year-old defender has been suspended from the club’s US tour. Most recently, Juve have made it clear to the 2021 European champions several times that, despite the contract until June 2024, he no longer fits into coach Massimiliano Allegri’s concept.
For Juve as well as in the Italian national team, Bonucci was a top performer and regular player for a long time. Last season, however, he only played a supporting role under coach Allegri. He had celebrated eight championship titles and four cup wins with Juventus. With the exception of one season at AC Milan, Bonucci has played a total of 502 competitive games for the Old Lady since 2010.
502 competitive games for Juventus – thrown out on vacation
As reported by “Gazzetta dello Sport”, those responsible for the record champions informed the 36-year-old captain of their decision during his vacation in Tuscany. The club icon now has to train alone, but Bonucci wants to appear at training in Turin on Monday, as Corriere della Sera wrote.
Former Schalke player Weston McKennie, most recently on loan to Leeds United, is said to no longer be part of the Juve squad for the coming season.
Danilo is to become the new captain
The Brazilian Danilo is said to be the new captain at Juve. Bonucci, who has played 121 times for the national team, will probably have to look for a new club a year before the end of his contract in order to secure the hoped-for nomination for the 2024 European Championships in Germany with match practice.
Last big hurray at the EM 2024?
Even in the national team, the defender was no longer undisputed. In 2021, when the Italians won the European Championship, he formed the central defense together with captain Giorgio Chiellini, who was two years his senior, and played a major role in the success. Chiellini left Juve last year for Los Angeles FC in the United States. He also ended his career in the national team in 2022.