Leonardo Bonucci facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Leonardo Bonucci

Bonucci with Italy in 2015
Personal information
Date of birth	(1987-05-01) 1 May 1987 (age 38)
Place of birth	Viterbo, Italy
Height	1.89 m
Playing position	Centre-back
Youth career
2004–2005	Viterbese
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2005–2006	Viterbese	0	(0)
2005–2006	→ Inter Milan (loan)	1	(0)
2006–2009	Inter Milan	0	(0)
2007–2009	→ Treviso (loan)	40	(4)
2009	→ Pisa (loan)	18	(1)
2009	Genoa	0	(0)
2009–2010	Bari	38	(1)
2010–2017	Juventus	227	(15)
2017–2018	AC Milan	35	(2)
2018–2023	Juventus	130	(14)
2023–2024	Union Berlin	7	(1)
2024	Fenerbahçe	8	(0)
Total		504	(38)
National team
2010–2023	Italy	121	(8)
Honours Men's Football Representing  Italy UEFA European Championship Winner 2020 Runner-up 2012 FIFA Confederations Cup Third 2013 UEFA Nations League Third 2021 Third 2023 CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions Runner-up 2022
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Leonardo Bonucci (born 1 May 1987) is an Italian former professional footballer. He played as a centre-back, which is a defender who plays in the middle of the field. Many people thought he was one of the best defenders of his time. He was known for his great skills with the ball, his strong tackles, and his ability to start attacks from the back.

Bonucci started his career with Inter Milan in 2005. He then played for several other Italian clubs, including Bari, before joining Juventus in 2010. At Juventus, he became a very important player. He won many titles, including eight Serie A championships. He also played in two UEFA Champions League finals. After a short time at AC Milan, he returned to Juventus and won more titles.

At the international level, Bonucci played over 120 games for the Italian national team. He played in two FIFA World Cups and three European Championships. His biggest achievement with Italy was winning UEFA Euro 2020! He retired from professional football in May 2024.

Club Career Highlights

Leonardo Bonucci began his football journey in his hometown. He played for the youth team of Viterbese. Later, he joined Inter Milan in 2005.

Early Days at Inter Milan

Bonucci played some friendly matches for Inter Milan's main team. He also became part of their Under-20 youth squad. On 14 May 2006, he made his first appearance in Serie A. This was Italy's top football league. Inter Milan then bought him completely in July 2006. He also played in the Coppa Italia, which is Italy's main cup competition.

In January 2007, Inter Milan sold half of Bonucci's player rights to Treviso. He stayed at Inter until June 2007. During his last year with Inter's youth team, he won the national youth league title.

Time at Treviso and Pisa

On 1 July 2007, Bonucci officially became a player for Treviso. He played 27 matches in Serie B, which is Italy's second division. He was a regular starter for the team. In June 2008, Inter Milan bought him back. However, he was loaned back to Treviso for another season.

Bonucci played 13 more Serie B matches for Treviso. After that, he moved to another Serie B team, Pisa, on loan.

Playing for Bari

Bonucci playing for Bari in the 2009–10 season

In July 2009, Bonucci joined Bari. He was part of a deal that involved several players. At Bari, he quickly became a key player in central defence. He played under coach Gian Piero Ventura. Bonucci showed a calm, strong, and effective style of defending.

He formed a very strong defensive partnership with Andrea Ranocchia. Their teamwork was so good that Bari had one of the best defensive records in Serie A. This strong partnership ended when Ranocchia got injured.

Success with Juventus

On 1 July 2010, Bonucci joined Juventus. He signed a four-year contract. He was given the number 19 shirt. Bonucci immediately became a starter for Juventus. He often played alongside his Italy teammate Giorgio Chiellini. He scored his first goal for Juventus in a UEFA Europa League match.

The next season, Juventus's new coach, Antonio Conte, decided to play with three defenders. Bonucci became a key part of this defence. He played alongside Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli. This defensive trio became known as the "BBC" (Bonucci, Barzagli, Chiellini). They were considered one of the best defences in the world.

On 2 April 2012, Bonucci signed a new five-year contract. He won his first major title, the Serie A title, with Juventus. The team finished the season without losing a single game. They also had one of the best defensive records in Europe.

Bonucci continued to win titles with Juventus. He won the Supercoppa Italiana and more Serie A titles. He also helped Juventus reach the semi-finals of the Europa League. In the 2014–15 season, he played his 200th game for Juventus. On 6 June 2015, he played in the 2015 UEFA Champions League Final. However, Juventus lost to Barcelona.

In March 2016, Bonucci was captain for Juventus in a cup match. He scored a winning penalty in a shootout against Inter Milan. This helped Juventus reach the final of the Coppa Italia. Juventus went on to win the cup and the league title that season.

During the 2016–17 season, Bonucci signed a new contract until 2021. He was named the Serie A Footballer of the Year in 2016. He also made his 300th appearance for Juventus. On 17 May, Bonucci scored in the Coppa Italia final against Lazio, which Juventus won. On 3 June, he played in his second Champions League Final. But Juventus lost to Real Madrid.

Time at AC Milan

On 14 July 2017, Bonucci joined AC Milan. He signed a five-year contract. He was named the team's new captain. He scored his first goal for Milan on 6 January 2018. This was in a 1–0 win against Crotone. He also scored against his old team, Juventus, in a 3–1 defeat.

Return to Juventus

Bonucci, here captaining Juventus, celebrating with his teammates in 2021

On 2 August 2018, Bonucci returned to Juventus. He signed a five-year contract. He made his return for Juventus on 18 August. On 29 September 2018, he scored his first goal for Juventus since coming back. This was in a 3–1 win against Napoli.

On 2 April 2019, Bonucci played his 250th Serie A game for Juventus. He scored the first goal in a 2–0 win against Cagliari. After the match, he made comments about a teammate, Moise Kean, who had faced racist abuse. Bonucci later clarified his words, stating he firmly condemns all forms of racism. He posted on Instagram: "I firmly condemn all forms of racism and discrimination. The abuses are not acceptable at all."

After Chiellini got injured, Bonucci became captain of Juventus. In November 2019, he signed another new contract. On 20 November 2021, Bonucci scored two goals in a match for the first time in his career. This was in a 2–0 win against Lazio.

Bonucci was named Juventus's new captain for the 2022–23 season. On 11 May 2023, he reached 500 appearances for the club. This made him only the sixth player in Juventus history to do so. Six days later, he announced he would retire when his contract ended in 2024.

Short Stays at Union Berlin and Fenerbahçe

On 1 September 2023, Bonucci signed for German club Union Berlin. He made his debut on 20 September in a UEFA Champions League match. This was Union Berlin's first ever game in the competition. On 7 October, he scored his first goal for the club from a penalty. Bonucci left Union Berlin on 11 January 2024.

The next day, Turkish club Fenerbahçe announced they were signing Bonucci. He made his debut for Fenerbahçe on 14 January 2024. On 25 May 2024, Fenerbahçe announced that Bonucci would retire from professional football. The next day, he played his final professional match. This was a 6–0 home win over İstanbulspor. He said goodbye to the fans on the field.

International Career

Leonardo Bonucci also had a long and successful career playing for the Italian national team.

Youth and Early Senior Career

Bonucci played for Italy's youth teams, including the Under-21 Serie B team. He was even captain for some of these matches.

He made his debut for the senior Italy team on 3 March 2010. This was in a friendly match against Cameroon. He was one of the few players to debut for the senior team without playing an official match for the national youth teams. He scored his first international goal on 3 June 2010, in a friendly against Mexico.

Bonucci was part of the Italy squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, he did not play in any matches. After the World Cup, he became a regular starter for Italy. He played alongside his Juventus teammate Chiellini.

Bonucci (right) playing against Cesc Fàbregas of Spain in the UEFA Euro 2012 Final

He was part of the Italy squad for UEFA Euro 2012. Italy reached the final of the tournament, but they lost 4–0 to Spain. Bonucci started in almost every match during that tournament.

In the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, Italy finished in third place. Bonucci was also selected for the 2014 FIFA World Cup squad. He made his World Cup debut on 24 June 2014. However, Italy was eliminated in the first round.

Euro 2016 and World Cup Qualification

On 4 September 2014, Bonucci wore the captain's armband for Italy for the first time. This was in a friendly win against the Netherlands.

He was named in Italy's squad for UEFA Euro 2016. On 13 June, he made a great pass that led to Italy's first goal in a 2–0 win over Belgium. He was praised for his strong defensive performances. In the quarter-final match against Germany, he scored a penalty goal. However, Italy lost the match in a penalty shootout.

Italy did not qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. They lost to Sweden in a play-off match.

Euro 2020 Victory

Bonucci (right) and President of Italy Sergio Mattarella (left) shaking hands following Italy's UEFA Euro 2020 win

On 12 October 2019, Bonucci played his 92nd international game. This made him one of the top ten most-capped players for Italy. The victory in that match helped Italy qualify for UEFA Euro 2020. On 25 March 2021, Bonucci played his 100th game for Italy.

In June 2021, Bonucci was part of Italy's squad for Euro 2020. He sometimes served as temporary captain due to an injury to Giorgio Chiellini. On 6 July, he scored a penalty in a shootout against Spain in the semi-final. This sent Italy to the final.

On 11 July, Bonucci won the European Championship with Italy! They beat England in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium. Bonucci scored Italy's only goal in the game. This made him the oldest player to score in a European Championship final. He was 34 years and 71 days old. For his great performance in the final, he was named "Star of the Match." He was also included in the team of the tournament.

Later International Career and Retirement

On 23 September 2022, Bonucci became the official captain of Italy after Chiellini retired from international football. He played his final international match on 15 June 2023. This was in a Nations League semi-final against Spain.

Despite joining Fenerbahçe in January 2024, Bonucci was not called up to the national team for Euro 2024. He then announced his retirement from professional football. In total, he played 121 games for Italy and scored eight goals.

Playing Style and Skills

Bonucci used to be a midfielder. He mostly played as a centre-back, a defender who plays in the middle. He was known for his excellent technique and passing. He could start attacks from the back with long, accurate passes.

He was a tall, strong, and mobile defender. He had a good sense of where to be on the field. He was also good at tackling and reading the game. He was strong in the air and could score goals from set pieces, like corners.

When he was younger, some people thought he was sometimes inconsistent. But he improved a lot and became one of the best defenders in the world. Famous coach Pep Guardiola even called Bonucci one of his "favourite ever players."

In 2016, a sports writer named Mario Sconcerti said Bonucci was one of the greatest Italian defenders ever. His unique style of play led some to compare him to legendary players.

Besides his defensive and technical skills, Bonucci was also praised for his leadership. He was good at organizing his team's defence. The defensive trio of Barzagli, Bonucci, and Chiellini (the "BBC") was considered one of the best in football history.

Coaching Career

In October 2024, Bonucci started his coaching career. He became an assistant coach for the Italy U-20 national team.

Personal Life

On 18 June 2011, Bonucci married Martina Maccari. They have two sons, Lorenzo and Matteo, and one daughter, Matilda. Even though Bonucci played for Juventus, his oldest son, Lorenzo, supports Juventus's rivals, Torino.

In July 2016, Bonucci's youngest son, Matteo, had emergency surgery for an illness. Bonucci later shared that his son's illness made him think about quitting football. He said his priorities changed during that difficult time. Luckily, Matteo got much better, and their family became even closer.

Bonucci is also an anti-bullying activist. In December 2017, he appeared in a music video about bullying. In October 2019, he co-wrote a book called "Il mio amico Leo" (My friend Leo). This book was partly inspired by his own experiences. It was designed to help victims of bullying.

In October 2012, Bonucci and his family were attacked by a robber. The robber tried to steal his watch. Bonucci reportedly fought back and chased the robber away.

Honours

Inter Milan

• Serie A: 2005–06
• Coppa Italia Primavera: 2006

Juventus

• Serie A: 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

Italy

• UEFA European Championship: 2020

Individual Awards

• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2017, 2021
• Serie A Team of the Year: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2019–20
• Serie A Footballer of the Year: 2015–16
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2016
• UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2013–14, 2017–18
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Season: 2016–17
• ESM Team of the Year: 2016–17
• IFFHS Men's World Team: 2017, 2021
• IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade: 2011–2020
• IFFHS Men's UEFA Team of the Year: 2021
• UEFA Euro 2020 Final: Man of the Match
• UEFA European Championship Team of the Tournament: 2020
• Globe Soccer Awards Best Defender of the Year: 2021

Orders

• 
  5th Class / Knight: Cavaliere Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2021

Images for kids

• 

  Bonucci playing for Juventus in 2014

See also

In Spanish: Leonardo Bonucci para niños

• List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps