Leonardo Bonucci

At 37 years old, Leonardo Bonucci has this physical status:

Leonardo Bonucci (Italian pronunciation: [leonardo bonutti]; born 1 May 1987) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and captain for both Serie A and Italy's national team.

Bonucci spent the next few seasons on loan at Treviso and Pisa before moving to Bari in 2009. His technique, ball-playing ability, and defensive work with fellow Italian centre Andrea Ranocchia earned him a move to Juventus the following season, where he later became a key member of the club's three-man defensive line, alongside Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli, establishing himself as one of the best defenders in world football. He went on to win six straight Serie A titles with the team between 2012 and 2017, winning two UEFA Champions League finals in 2015 and 2017. He migrated to AC Milan in 2017 and spent two seasons in Juventus, winning two more consecutive league titles.

Bonucci has earned over 110 caps since his debut in 2010 in 2010, two FIFA World Cups (2010, 2016, and 2020), as well as a FIFA Confederations Cup (2013); he won Euro 2020 and received a runners-up medal at Euro 2012 and a third-place medal at the 2013 Confederations Cup in Munich.

Bonucci has received several individual awards for his work: he was also named to the UEFA Europa League Squad of the season from 2013-2014 and 2017-2018, and he is a four-time member of the Serie A Team of the Year. In 2016, he was named Serie A Footballer of the Year and was also included in the UEFA Team of the Year in the same year. He was also included in the FIFA World11 and the IFFHS Men's World Team, as well as the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League Team of the Year and the 2016–17 ESM Team of the Year.

Personal life

Bonucci married Martina Maccari (b. ), on June 18, 2011. 19 November 1985 (1998), a former model and blogger who first met in 2008 via a mutual friend. Lorenzo (b. July 2012) and Matteo (b. b.) have two sons. Matilda, one of three children, and May 2014 (b. February 2019). Although Bonucci appeared on Juventus for several seasons, Lorenzo, his eldest son, supports Juventus's cross-city rivals Torino. Matteo, Bonucci's youngest son, underwent emergency surgery after experiencing an acute disease in July 2016. Bonucci said that his son's illness had also led him to questioning quitting football in a 2017 interview with El Pas.

Riccardo, Bonucci's older brother, was also a footballer who competed as a central defender in Serie C1 for Viterbese. In Viterbo, their father owns a paint shop.

Bonucci, alongside Juventus teammate Simone Pepe and boss Antonio Conte, and many other footballers, were accused of match-fixing in May 2012; during his time with Bari, Bonucci was accused of assisting in the establishment of a 3–3 draw against Udinese, which could result in a three-and-a-year suspension if found guilty. Bonucci denied any wrongdoing, but Pepe and he were both cleared later this year, although Pepe was not released.

Bonucci and his wife and then five-month-old son were confronted by an armed robber who demanded the defender's hand over his watch in October 2012. Bonucci allegedly punched him and chased him down the street as the robber came out to watch the video. On a motorcycle, the robbery accomplice was able to flee with his accomplice.

Bonucci is an anti-bullying activist. In December 2017, he made a cameo appearance in Benji & Fede's "Buona fortuna," whose storyline concerns bullying. He co-wrote and published "Il mio amico Leo" (My friend Leo), partly inspired by his own experiences and intended to help bullying victims.

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Club career

Bonucci began his career in the youth of his hometown team Viterbese, but he was loaned to Inter Milan in the summer of 2005. He appeared in several pre-season friendlies for Inter's first team. He then became a member of the Inter U20 team.

Bonucci made his Serie A debut in the 2005-06 season's last match against Cagliari, which was Inter's 3,500th competitive match. Inter bought Bonucci outright on July 7, 2006.

On November 9, 2006, he appeared in his first Coppa Italia match against Messina when he came off the bench for Fabio Grosso in the 86th minute. Bonucci appeared in two more Coppa Italia games for Inter this season, as a starter against Sampdoria and as a starter in the quarter final second leg match against Empoli.

Inter sold half of Bonucci's registration rights to Treviso in January 2007, as well as 50% of Primavera teammate Daniel Maa Boumsong's registration rights. Bonucci had been charged with a €500 peppercorn fee at the time. Bonucci stayed at Inter until June 30, 2007, though Maa Boumsong returned from Treviso, where he spent the first half of the season on loan. During Bonucci's last season with the Inter's youth team, he won the Campionato Nazionale Primavera (the national youth league championship).

Since their loan agreement with Inter had ended, as well as the renewal of the co-ownerships in June 2007, Bonucci and Maa Boumsong officially became players of Treviso on July 1, 2007. Bonucci made 20 appearances in 27 Serie B appearances as one of the regular starters at Treviso.

Bonucci was the only player to be bought back from Treviso in June 2008. However, he was recalled back to Treviso for the 2008–09 season. Tabella N°5 – Circulare Co.Vi.So.C. – According to a Treviso filing, the cirolare Co.Vi. So.C. prot. In their 2007–08 financial report, Bonucci was sold for a €700,000 fee.

Bonucci appeared in 13 Serie B games for Treviso before going on loan to another Serie B struggler Pisa.

Bonucci underwent a medical examination at Genoa on June 8, 2009. Inter officially announced on July that Bonucci, Acquafresca, Bolzoni, and Meggiorini had been sent to Genoa as part of the agreement that brought Diego Milito and Thiago Motta to Inter. In addition, Ivan Fati, who was co-contracted ("co-owned") between Chievo and Inter, became co-contracted between Chievo and Genoa, according to a La Gazzetta dello Sport news story. Bonucci was worth at €3 million at the time.

He was transferred from Genoa to Bari from Genoa on a co-ownership agreement for €1.75 million, as well as Meggiorini (also on a co-ownership agreement), Matteo Paro (on loan), Andrea Ranocchia (on loan), and Giuseppe Greco (on loan).

He was a first team player in central defense under Gian Piero Ventura, who displayed a calm yet strong defensive playing style. Bari's second best defensive record in Serie A was established during his long-running partnership with Andrea Ranocchia, which was so efficient that, as of the midway point in the 2009–10 season, he had the second best defensive record in the nation. After Ranocchia became sick half-way through the season and was ruled out for the remaining fixtures, the good team came to an end.

Bonucci was signed by Juventus on a four-year deal with Bari; Bari bought Bonucci from Genoa outright for €8 million. However, Genoa and Bari obtained the remaining 50% registration rights of Domenico Criscito and 50% of Sergio Bernardo Almirón's registration rights. Bonucci was given the number 19 for his shirt.

Bonucci was immediately drafted into the starting lineup for the first games of the season, as well as Italy's Giorgio Chiellini in defense, scoring his first goal for Juventus in the Europa League play-off match against Sturm Graz.

Bonucci was expected to play with him in a four-man defense against Chiellini in a four-man defense next season, as the club's new manager Antonio Conte was known for his preference for the 4–2–4 formation, a twist on the 4–4–2 system. Conte did eventually decide to play all three players in a three-man defense aided by wingbacks in a 3–5–2 formation, but Bonucci made his debut in the starting eleven alongside Chiellini and Barzagli, who used many tactical tactics. The three-man defense earned the nickname BBC in honor of the players' initials, a nod to their initials. The trio established themselves as one of the best defenses in world football within a few years. Juventus reported on 2 April 2012 that he had signed a new 5-year contract beginning on 1 July 2012. Bonucci won his first major title, the 2011–12 Scudetto, and played two goals as Juventus finished the season undefeated and had one of the top defensive records in the top five European leagues. He has been selected in the final UEFA Euro 2012 squad thanks to his solid form during the season.

Bonucci began the season by winning the 2012 Supercoppa Italiana with Juventus. In a 1–1 draw against Chelsea in the Champions League debut, he scored his first goal against Shaktar Donetsk in October 2012. Bonucci was suspended in December 2012 after diving in a league match against Palermo, which was characterized by a number of journalists as "the worst dive ever." During the game, he was arrested by the referee and the authorities released a one-match suspension and a €2000 fine. Juventus won the 2012–13 Serie A championship, bringing an end to the season.

Bonucci will help Juventus defend the Supercoppa Italiana and the Serie A crown next season, while Juventus will face Juventus in a group-stage elimination in the UEFA Champions League. Despite this, he aided Juventus in reaching the Europa League's semi-finals, scoring a vital goal against Lyon in the quarter-finals.

Bonucci made his 200th appearance with Juventus on January 25, 2015, beating Chievo 2–0. Bonucci started for Juventus in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final on June 6, 2015, but Barcelona defeated Barcelona 3–1 at Berlin's Olympiastadion. With 52 appearances, he made the most appearances for Juventus this season, as well as teammate Claudio Marchisio and Roberto Pereyra. Bonucci was nominated for the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year on November 24, 2015. Following a 3–3 draw on aggregate, Juventus defeated Inter in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals against Inter, on March 2nd, with Juventus losing their second straight league title and his fifth consecutive championship title.

Bonucci devoted time to his ill son Matteo, despite missing select matches with Juventus and the national team at the start of the 2016-17 season. Bonucci sustained a serious thigh strain in an eventual 3–1 away loss to Genoa on November 27th, sidelining him for up to 60 days. Bonucci penned a new contract with Juventus on December 19, keeping him at the club until 2021. Bonucci was named to the 2016 UEFA Team of the Year on January 5th. Bonucci was named to the 2015-16 Serie A Footballer of the Year on January 30 and was also named the 2016 Serie A Footballer of the Year. Bonucci won by 4–1 home over Palermo on February 17th; however, Bonucci had an argument about coach Massimiliano Allegri's touchline, causing the club to fine and suspend him from the squad for the first Champions League round of 16 leg with Porto on February 22. Bonucci scored the last goal of a 2–0 win over Lazio in the final of the 2016–17 Coppa Italia. Bonucci's second Champions League Final appearance in three years, but Juventus was defeated 4–1 by the defending champions Real Madrid on June 3rd. He was later named in the UEFA Champions League squad of the season on June 5th.

Bonucci was signed by AC Milan on a five-year deal for a €42 million fee on July 14, 2017. Bonucci was chosen one of the three finalists for the Defender of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League season award on August 4, 2017. Bonucci was later named as Milan's next captain by Milan's boss Vincenzo Montella later this month. He was born in 2017 FIFA World Cup 10 on October 23rd. Although much was awaited of Bonucci and Milan in the first half of the 2017-18 season, the team and the team were both disappointed and dissatisfied, and he drew criticism in the media over his overall quality of his work. In a 1–0 home win over Crotone on January 6, he scored his first goal for Milan on January 6, 2018. Bonucci scored the equalizing goal against his former team away from Juventus on March 31, defeating goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon's record of longest consecutive minutes not conceded in a 3-2 loss.

Bonucci returned to Juventus as part of a swap agreement with Milan involving Mattia Caldara on August 2nd; both Bonucci and Caldara were charged with €35 million transfer fee. He has been working for five years as a result of his resignation until June 2023. In Juventus's opening Serie A match on August 18, Bonucci made his return to the club by beating Chievo 3-2, contributing to Juventus's temporary equalizer, which was Mattia Bani's own goal. Bonucci scored his first goal for Juventus since his return from Milan on September 29, the final goal of a 3–1 home victory over Napoli. In a 3–0 home win over Young Boys on October 2nd, he made his 50th Champions League appearance.

Bonucci scored the opening goal in a 2–0 away victory over Cagliari on April 2nd, his 250th appearance in Serie A. However, following the match, Moise Kean was heavily chastised after saying that teammate Moise Kean was partially to blame for the racial abuse he suffered from the crowd; England international Raheem Sterling's remarks condemned Bonucci's remarks. Bonucci said Kean's goal celebrations put him further into disarray, adding to Sky Sport Italia: "Kean knows that if he scores a goal, he has to concentrate on celebrating with his teammates." He knows he should have done something differently. Blaise heard it and was outraged, but there were racial protesters after the goal, and Blaise was furious. Moise may not have done it, and the Curva may not have responded in a hostile manner, so I think the blame is 50-50. We're experts, so we must lead by example and not provoke anyone." "In any case, no to bigotry," he wrote on Instagram later. "I want to clarify my feelings after 24 hours," Bonucci posted on Instagram the following day. I was interviewed right at the end of the game yesterday and my words had obviously been misinterpreted, perhaps because I was too hasty in the way I expressed my thoughts. Hours and years would not be enough to worry about this issue. I have vehemently condemned all forms of bigotry and discrimination. The abuses are not acceptable at all, and "necess will not be misinterpreted."

Bonucci captained Juventus in his absence after Chiellini sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury at the start of the 2019-20 season. In November 2019, he renewed his deal with the club, which will run until 2024.

Bonucci scored in Juventus's first match of the 2020-21 season on September 20, defeating Sampdoria 3–0 in Serie A. Bonucci scored his first brace in his career against Lazio on 2–0 on 20 November 2021, 2021, on two penalties.

International career

Bonucci, a youth footballer, competed for Italy's national under-21 football team. On 6 November 2007, he was called up for a friendlies against Renate, and on December 4, 2007, against the Under-20 Serie C representative team. He was also capped for the Under-21 Serie B team in a team friendly on October 20, 2008, and as team captain on March 24, 2009.

On May 31, 2007, the Italy U20 team called him up. In the 0–1 loss to the Serie D Best XI, he was an ineffective substitute.

Bonucci made his Italy senior squad debut in a friendly match against Cameroon on March 3rd, resulting in a 0–0 draw, making him one of the few debutants to have never played a single match for the national youth teams. He was included by manager Marcello Lippi in the starting lineup along with national team regulars Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini, resulting in a three-man defensive line in Lippi's 3–4–3 formation.

Bonucci was included in the Italy squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup thanks to his appearances during the 2009-2010 season. In a pre-tournament friendly match in Brussels on 3 June 2010, he scored his first international goal against Mexico in a 1–2 draw. He was an unused substitute for all three of Italy's matches, despite being unable to win a match.

Bonucci took advantage of Cannavaro's international retirement and inserted them in the starting lineup alongside Juventus teammate Chiellini after the World Cup. He came to an end of a fine 2011–12 season by being included in the final 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2012, assisting Italy in reaching the tournament's final, where they were defeated 4–0 by the defending champions Spain. As Italy advanced to the finals, he started in just one match.

He missed his spot-kick in the semi-finals against Spain, shooting high over the bar as Italy dropped out of the tournament after losing 7–6 on penalties; Italy would win the bronze medal match against Uruguay 4–3 on penalties after extra time; allowing them to claim third place.

Cesare Prandelli had Bonucci selected by Cesare Prandelli to be part of the Italy squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Despite being an unemployed substitute for the first two games, he made his World Cup debut on June 24, 2014, defeating Uruguay by a 0–1 loss; as a result, Italy was eliminated in the first round of the tournament for the second time in a row.

Bonucci wore the captain's armband for Italy for the first time on September 4th, 2014, following Daniele De Rossi's substitution in a 2–0 friendly victory over the Netherlands.

Bonucci was selected in Conte's 23-man Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2016. He scored Emanuele Giaccherini's goal, Italy's first of the season, on June 13 with a long ball in a 2–0 victory over Belgium in the first group match of Euro 2016, but he was later suspended for a tactical foul later that day. Bonucci was praised once more for his defensive efforts alongside Chiellini and Barzagli in a 1–0 win in Italy's second group match against Sweden on June 17th, which brought Italy to another clean-sheet in a 1–0 win. He captained Italy in Buffon's absence in his country's final group match, a 1–0 loss to Ireland, on June 22nd. In the round of 16 of the tournament, he gave Italy a third clean sheet and defeated Spain 21-0. He scored Italy's equalizing goal from a penalty in the quarter-finals against Germany on July 2nd, but Manuel Neuer saved his spot-kick in the resulting shoot-out as the reigning World Cup champions advanced to the semifinals following a 6–5 victory.

Italia finished second in Group G of Group G behind Spain in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, defeating Sweden in the play-off. After a 1–0 aggregate loss to the Scandinavians, Italy did not qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Bonucci made his 92nd international appearance under new manager Roberto Mancini in a 2–0 home victory over Greece, overtaking Alessandro Del Piero as the 10th highestcapped player in Italy's history; the triumph also secured Italy's qualification for Euro 2020. In a Euro 2020 qualifier against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he made his 94th appearance for Italy on November 15 in a 3–0 away victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, bringing together Giacinto Facchetti as the ninth most-capped Italian player of all time.

Bonucci made his 98th international appearance in a 0–0 away draw against Poland in the UEFA Nations League on October 11, equaling Gianluca Zambrotta as the eighth most capped player for the Italian national team of all time.

Bonucci made his 100th appearance for Italy on March 25th in the team's first 2022 World Cup qualifying match.

Bonucci was included in Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2020 in June 2021. Following an injury to Giorgio Chiellini in the first round, he served as a temporary captain for Italy during the tournament. Following a 1–1 draw after extra time against Spain in the semi-final of the tournament, he scored Italy's third spot-kick and sent Italy to the final on July 6th. Bonucci won the European Championship with Italy on July 11th after a 1–1 draw in extra time at Wembley Stadium. Bonucci scored Italy's only goal of the game in the 67th minute to tie the match, and later converted Italy's third goal in the shootout; his goal during regulation time made him the oldest player to score in a European Championship final at the age of 34 years and 71 days. He was named Star of the Match by UEFA for his efforts during the final. He was later named to the tournament's team after his success throughout the season.

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