Midfielder Bonucci: 'Juventus humiliated me'

"I should have been able to practice with the team, regardless of the coach's choice," Bonucci said on Mediaset on September 15. "I had the right to do it, but they didn't let me do it. That was the biggest humiliation I had to endure."

Bonucci announced a lawsuit against Juventus for rudely removing him from the squad and not allowing him to practice. If he wins the case, the 36-year-old midfielder promises to donate the entire compensation amount to charity.

Bonucci also accused Juventus coach Max Allegri of making up a story about the club's board of directors informing him of their intention to part ways from October 2022. According to the original plan, the 36-year-old midfielder wanted to end his career at Juventus when his contract expired in June 2024. In May, he told the board that he was willing to stay as fifth choice of six defenders, to help the young players. However, on July 13, after rumors appeared in the newspaper, Juventus informed Bonucci of his removal from the squad.

"I smelled something when I read the newspaper that I would no longer be part of Juventus and that my presence would hinder the club's development," Bonucci added. "This is the humiliation I have to endure after more than 500 matches."

Bonucci also confirmed that the lawsuit is not against Juventus, its fans and former teammates. His targets were those who "should have let him end his career at Juventus with respect and dignity".

After liquidating the contract with Juventus, on the last day of the 2023 summer transfer window, Bonucci joined Union Berlin. The Italian midfielder is actively training to prepare for his debut match with the German team.

Bonucci played 502 matches for Juventus, and is one of the six players who served the "Old Lady" the most. With the black and white striped team, he won eight Serie A, four Italian Cups, five Italian Super Cups and two Champions League finals. In the Italian national team, Bonucci played 121 matches, scored eight goals and won Euro 2021. The 36-year-old midfielder's last goal for the team was a 1-1 equalizer in the Euro 2021 final, before winning 3-2 against England. in the shootout. Bonucci successfully completed one of these three penalty kicks.