LEONARDO BONUCCI has announced his retirement from football.
The legendary defender ends his career havign won 19 major trophies.
Bonucci, 37, was part of the Italy side that broke English hearts at Euro 2020.
Luke Shaw had given the Three Lions an early lead until Bonucci forced home the equaliser before Italy went on to win on penalties.
The defender had hoped to make the squad for Euro 2024 for one last international tournament.
But due to a lack of playing time at Union Berlin and Fenerbahce he was not picked by Luciano Spalletti.
Bonucci announced his retirement on social media with a touching video.
The clip showcased pictures from throughout his career and the trophies he won.
He wrote: “As a child, I dreamed of this story I would tell, promising myself achievements to embrace against the biggest, celebrating, having faith through difficulties with courage.
“A father, a teammate, a husband, a player. Beyond. Beyond history today, I am me.”
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Bonucci enjoyed a stellar career in which he won nine Serie A titles at Inter Milan and Juventus.
He also won five Coppa Italia trophies and five Italian Supercoppas.
Juventus paid tribute to its former player with a classy statement.
It read: “A player who formed an enormous part of our recent history has decided to leave the world of football.
“Leonardo Bonucci has decided to retire from football, an announcement that touches us deeply, because Leo has his name etched into the Juventus archives.
“We said goodbye last September, but the thread that binds us cannot be broken.
“Not even now that Leo has decided to embark on a new chapter in his life, for which we wish him only the best.”
In 2018, Jose Mourinho hailed Bonucci’s intelligence as a centre-back.
The Portuguese manager said: “Mr Bonnuci could go to some Harvard University to give classes on how to be a central defender.
“Fantastic, absoluetly fantastic.”
Bonucci's career by numbers
Here is a look at Leonardo Bonucci's career stats...
Club career:
- Clubs: Juventus, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Union Berlin, Fenerbahce, Pisa, Bari and Treviso
- Games: 700
- Goals scored: 48
- Red cards: 4
Internationalcareer:
- Caps: 121
- Goals scored: 4
Honours:
- Serie A: 2005–06, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20
- Coppa Italia: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21
- Supercoppa Italiana: 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2020
- Uefa European Championship: 2020
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