Leonardo Bonucci hit back at various claims made about his Juventus departure, claiming that he was once offered ‘the opportunity to continue with a contract renewal’.
The 36-year-old Italian centre back was unceremoniously cut from Massimiliano Allegri’s squad this summer, being left in Turin during the club’s pre-season tour in the United States.
Bonucci was forced out of Juventus and had hoped to stay in Italy before ultimately joining Union Berlin on transfer deadline day, penning a one-year contract with an option for a second.
Speaking to Sport Mediaset, Bonucci first challenged various claims made by Juventus over the last few months.
“I’ve read and heard many things that are not true, I’d like to start from afar. From that date mentioned several times by Juventus and the coach, when they said that they had made me aware of what was then the situation of this season already in October last year.
“It can’t be less true, in October last year in fact I was given the opportunity to continue at Juventus with a contract renewal.”
The veteran defender – who spent 12 years total attached to Juventus – then explained how he was humiliated by the club in the summer, when he was forced out of the squad.
“Then I heard something else following an interview with the coach, in which it was said that I had been made aware of the situation again in February 2023, when I had been told by the coach and the club that I would no longer be part of Juventus.
“I had no talks with the club at that time, but I started to smell something when I read in the newspapers that I would no longer be part of Juventus’ plans.
“Then Manna and Giuntoli came to my house on July 13 and humiliated me, because it was a humiliation, they told me that I would no longer be part of Juventus, part of the squad.
“In fact, they were giving me the chance to stay at home for a few more days and that even my presence in the locker room and on the pitch would hinder the growth of Juventus.”
Bonucci has decided to take legal action against Juventus, looking to sue his former club after they broke the collective agreement with the Italian Association Of Footballers by unfairly freezing him out of the squad.