28 July 2015
As Leonardo Bonucci, alongside club president Andrea Agnelli, faced journalists at Juventus Center in Vinovo today to discuss his contract extension keeping him at the club until 2020, he reflected on a glorious five years at the club while looking eagerly forward to what the next five will bring.
When asked how he remembers his first contract with the Bianconeri, Bonucci smiled, "I am just as delighted now as I was then."
Having arrived from Bari as a youngster himself in 2010, Leonardo symbolises Juve’s pursuit of Italian talent and the longevity of its key players.
The defender believes that this new deal signals the beginning of a new era at Juventus as well as his own journey acting as a parallel to the club’s return to the top of the Italian game.
He began: “This new deal brings an end to my first era as a Juventus player and I am delighted to have grown in tandem with the club as a whole.
"This contract is very pleasing for me but it also gives me great responsibility to pass on what I’ve learned in the last five years to the new, young guys who have just arrived.”
Arriving at the same time as club president Andrea Agnelli, Leo’s development has been a reflection of the Bianconeri’s resurgence.
He added: “I came to the club at the same time as the president. Our first season here was one of transition but after winning my first Scudetto I knew what it meant to represent this great club. Winning is part of its DNA.”
Of the numerous unforgettable moments during his time in Turin, which is set to reach 10 years by 2020, the Italian international selected his winning goal in last season’s epic late win at home to title rivals Roma. “If I had to choose one memory it would be the Roma goal, not only for its importance in the game but also for our season as a whole.”
Despite enjoying immense success since his arrival, Leo concluded by warning that while other sides had bolstered in the transfer market, the only side that would decide Juventus’ fate next season would be the Bianconeri themselves.
“Everyone has strengthened but ultimately we have to focus on ourselves. Winning is the only option when you pull on the Juventus jersey.
"Winning four years in a row is no mean feat, so to do it for a fifth time would be remarkable. This club though has instilled in us all the belief to go and do it.”
Such self-belief has served Bonucci well for the last five years and few would doubt its potential to bring even more trophy- laden seasons for the defender.
