Leonardo Bonucci opened up about his painful regrets with Juventus, his toughest moments in an Italy shirt and what’ll come next after hanging up his boots.
The 37-year-old has decided to retire from his playing career following the end of the 2023-24 season, having spent his final six months with Fenerbahce. He started the season with Union Berlin following his Bianconeri exit, but struggled to settle with the Bundesliga side.
Bonucci spent 12 years of his career with Juventus, where he formed part of one of the strongest defences in European football alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli. He made 502 appearances for the club, helping them to win nine Scudetti and five Coppa Italia titles.
Bonucci opens up
Speaking on page 12 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Bonucci first discussed the good and bad moments from his career.
“Rather than bad I would define them as hard, but preparatory to the good ones, like the elimination from the two World Cups.
“After the second I was lucky enough to meet Vialli, a great person, who on a bench in Coverciano told me: ‘You are one of the older ones, you have to react, don’t think that everything is over’.
“Without that, perhaps there wouldn’t have been the 2021 European Championship, one of the sweetest memories.
“The Champions League final defeats were as painful as the farewell to Juve, but there were some great things about them. It’s been a very long journey of success. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
He was asked what he wouldn’t repeat in his career.
“The argument with Allegri in Juve-Palermo, an instinctive reaction that I could have managed better. The choices instead were consequences of situations I experienced that improved me as a footballer and a man.
“In recent days I have had proof of having behaved correctly. The best part is the private messages from my teammates. I’ve had a nice career as an unpleasant player, but I’ve never put on a mask.”
Bonucci spoke about the secret behind the famous BBC defence.
“Conte, who put in place the magic line, and having the number one in the world behind us, Buffon. Between us, in addition to friendship, there was trust, knowledge and talent. We complemented each other, so we made the history of Juventus, the national team and football.
“We have a chat, ‘The Magnificent 4’, for jokes, talks and memories. With Giorgio we also went on holidays together. A relationship that will go on forever.”
He reflected on his bitter departure from Juventus last year.
“A scar that still hurts. I would’ve liked a different ending, but perhaps it hasn’t arrived yet. After the initial anger I reflected, we discussed it and giving up legal action was the right thing, because for me Juve have always been everything, since I played football in the room with my brother. Love remains intact.”
Bonucci discussed what kind of coach he’d be like.
“I like tactics and Conte changed football, not just Juve, by opening up positional play. Today it’s more about movement, Mancini with the five channels allowed us to win a European Championship.
“In management Allegri, Lippi and Ancelotti give you a lot. I will study a lot to find the right mix and improve my character.”
He was asked about his last conversation with Massimiliano Allegri.
“I spoke to him for the last time in May 2023 in Udine. Everyone behaves as they see fit. Given what we experienced together, despite the disagreements, I think everything could have been managed differently, even the fact of no longer wanting me in the squad.
“If I were to meet him in a bar I’d say hello, I certainly wouldn’t call him for a coffee.”
Bonucci gave his thoughts on Juventus’ 2023-24 season.
“When you play for Juve you can’t be satisfied with Champions League qualification. Today’s squad can compete with those who finished above, even with Inter who had an incredible journey. The value is there, in moments of difficulty our attention wasn’t kept high.”
The former defender spoke about why Cristiano Ronaldo didn’t make a difference in Turin.
“Bringing Cristiano seemed to mean winning the Champions League but football is not an exact science. Cristiano gave us a lot in terms of mentality.
“Sometimes on the pitch he was stuck trying to make a play, but it should be allowed for a champion, with him we always started 1- 0. Like all number ones he needed his space, this happened to Gigi too.”
Bonucci was asked if it was tougher to mark Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.
“Messi because he is more unpredictable. Cristiano is a perfect machine but more decipherable.”
He commented on if Gianluigi Buffon was the Ronaldo of goalkeepers.
“Absolutely yes, unfortunately we weren’t able to give him the Champions League. I’m grateful for having played with him for so many years. There will hardly be another goalkeeper like him in the future, he’s unapproachable.”
Bonucci spoke about if there was a current player similar to him.
“I have two sons, maybe one of them will emerge… Calafiori can become a great defender but he’s not Bonucci. In a big team the pressures will be different.
“In today’s football my characteristics are more useful, defenders are less good on one-on-ones but more inclined to set up, read the game and fill the space.
“Buongiorno has great skills both in marking and in play, he is intelligent and has important values.”
He was asked if he dreamed about coaching Juventus one day.
“My dream is to lift the Champions League as Juventus coach since I didn’t succeed as a player. If Giorgio were to be the CEO the relationship would be double, professional and friendship… First, however, we both have a path to follow.”
The former defender weighed in on Thiago Motta at the Old Lady.
“He is direct and has personality, I like him a lot. He has all it takes to adapt Juve to modern football and to do very well, but he must be given time. I appreciated him in the national team, he was very important in the Euro 2012.
“After the draw with Spain in the group he spoke for the first time and told us: ‘If we continue like this with this spirit we will go to the final with Spain’.”
Finally, Bonucci commented on how far Italy can go at the European Championship.
“If Spalletti finds the right fit and gets through a difficult group, he can get to the end. I expect a great European Championship from Scamacca, who has achieved a high degree of self-awareness.”