Leonardo Bonucci: Here's who really kicked him out of Juventus

The drama around Leonardo Bonucci and his sacking from Juventus has not died down this week – if anything the spotlight on the Turin club has only intensified after new behind-the-scenes details emerged on the defender's controversial dismissal.

According to the 'Calciomercato' website, it was journalist Paolo Bargiggia who revealed the sensational backstory to "TV Play". According to the journalist, it was not manager Massimiliano Allegri who told Bonucci to move on, but rather someone else at the club.

It was actually technical director Cristiano Giuntoli. "The real decision was made by the director, who went to Bonucci's house on 13 July. He understood that Allegri no longer liked working with the player," Bargiggia claims, as per his report.

Bonucci, who had reportedly been at odds wit Allegri for some time, probably understood that the final blow would come from Giuntoli, Bargiggia said. "I'm with Juventus and in my opinion Bonucci and his wife made a fool of themselves."

On September 13th Martina Maccari, wife of Bonucci, who was left out of the Juventus squad after his retirement announced just a few months earlier, published a bitter and long post on Instagram addressing her husband's former team, a post that began like this: "What do we have left then? Not even a squalid, last hug."

Photo: Leonardo Bonucci at Jmedical for Juventus medical tests, 17 July 2023

According to the Gazzetta, "through a certified e-mail from his lawyer, the player had asked twice to be reinstated in the group, but the club had remained firm in its position, considering him out of the project". The former Juventus player was therefore forced to take legal action against the Juventus club.

Photo: Leonardo Bonucci at Jmedical for Juventus medical tests, 17 July 2023

Furthermore, "whatever amount arises from the legal action, Bonucci has clarified that it will be donated to charity to two entities very close to him", again according to the Gazzetta dello Sport.

The fact that Allegri was not the main architect of the decision to leave Bonucci out of the squad is a revelation that few expected, as there have been several tense moments between the coach and the player over the years.

We remember when in 2017 the two were involved in a heated argument on the pitch during a match at the Stadium against Palermo. As punishment, Bonucci was sent to the stands in Porto during the Champions League match.

A few months later, Bonucci moved to Milan, where he remained for just one season, before returning to Turin.

Only a few months ago, Bonucci, during an interview given to the club's official channels and reported by Sky Sport, announced his farewell to football, scheduled for next year: "When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era, a way of defending Italian style. It's a source of pride to be up there with the greatest."

Bonucci's golden period is coming to an end, as he himself commented on 16 May 2023, on the occasion of his 500th appearance with the black and white shirt. He was the sixth player to reach this figure, after Del Piero (705), Buffon (685), Chiellini (559), Scirea (552) and Furino (528).

During an interview, the former Juventus captain did not hesitate to tell what the black and white shirt meant to him: "From the first day I wore this shirt I tried first and foremost to be myself, for better or for worse. Everything that I did, I did to defend a shirt that is like a second skin to me."

"I applied to the letter what it means to wear this shirt, first trying to take from others who were older than me what it meant to wear the Juventus shirt. Afterwards I tried to be an example and a driver of these values, but living this shirt for me is was like living in a dream for twelve years," he added.

A bitter ending, in short, for Bonucci, born in 1987, who leaves behind many memories, many fond and some not-so-fond. Among those to take with him will certainly be the 18 trophies he won, including 8 championships, 5 Italian Super Cups and 4 Italian Cups.

On 1 September 2023 he accepted an offer from Union Berlin and has officially relocated to Germany.

In any case, perhaps there remains that feeling of having witnessed the end of a great love, that between Bonucci and 'the Old Lady'. The former Juventus captain today is, without a doubt, one of the most respected Italian players in recent history, so it's a shame to see him bow out in such a bitter fashion.