Leonardo Bonucci discussed his son’s illness, leaving Juventus for Milan, a close call with Zenit, the future as a Coach and dealing with trolls.
The Italy international spoke to Vanity Fair about his life and career, inevitably touching on the illness his infant son went through.
“Before going into the operating theatre, he looked at me and roared like a lion. It’s the clearest memory I have of those terrible days.
Leonardo Bonucci discussed his son’s illness, leaving Juventus for Milan, a close call with Zenit, the future as a Coach and dealing with trolls.
The Italy international spoke to Vanity Fair about his life and career, inevitably touching on the illness his infant son went through.
“Before going into the operating theatre, he looked at me and roared like a lion. It’s the clearest memory I have of those terrible days.
“I always told him he was my lion, so despite the situation, he found the strength to roar at me. We were all together after the Euros and woke up one morning to see Matteo was behaving strangely. We went to the hospital and he didn’t come out again for 25 days.
“Obviously, in those situations, your priorities change and you see everything from another perspective. We were fortunate that it all went well eventually, as moments like that really unite you. I got a tattoo on my shoulder of two lions, once the fear of that time had passed by. Matteo is the most courageous, while Lorenzo is more curious.”
Lorenzo Bonucci is famous on social media, as he is a committed Torino fan – a strange situation to be in for the son of a Juventus star.
“My wife hadn’t told me that he asked for the Torino kit, nor that she’d bought it for him. So when I said we’d dress up to watch the Turin Derby at home and he turned up all in Granata, I laughed and put the picture on social media.”
A few months later, Bonucci would leave Juve and join Milan in a surprise switch.
“I read almost everything on social media. When they insult your family, especially knowing you’ve been through certain things with them, that makes your blood boil.
“You’d want to go to their houses and grab hold of them, but then ultimately these are the same fans who ask you for a selfie in the street. You have to let certain comments just slide off you. Social media can be dangerous, but can also be important to pass on positive messages.”
His departure from Juventus also fuelled speculation he’d been in bitter rows with teammates and Coach Max Allegri.
“There’s nothing true about what was written on half-time in the Champions League Final.”
Bonucci also reveals he almost left Juventus far earlier in his Turin career.
“In my first year at Juve, I was often on the bench and not happy with the situation. I was about to complete a transfer to Zenit St Petersburg, but my wife stood by me and was fundamental in convincing me to persevere.”
What will Bonucci do once he hangs up his boots?
“I want to try being a Coach, but first, once my career is concluded, I want to go on a journey with my family. The first stop will be Peru.”