LEONARDO BONUCCI is “set to sue Juventus” following his summer exit, according to reports.
The veteran defender left Juve to join German side Union Berlin.
Bonucci, 36, believes that his treatment from Juve during his final months in Turin led to him suffering “professional and image damage”.
According to Italian reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, the centre-back is now set to take legal action against his former employers.
The Italy star claims that he was not given appropriate conditions for training and preparation ahead of his Juventus exit.
Bonucci alleges that he was not given access to the Serie A club’s gym, swimming pool or restaurant.
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And he adds that he was made to train away from the rest of the squad.
The Euro 2020 winner is alleged to not be seeking personal gain from the legal action, and sees it more as a matter of principle.
It’s claimed that any money he is awarded will go to children’s hospital Neuroland.
Prior to leaving Juventus, Bonucci hinted that he will retire in 2024.
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He told the club’s YouTube channel: “When I stop playing next year, it will be the end of a defensive era.”
Bonucci then paid tribute to fellow Juventus legends Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Gianluigi Buffon, adding: “I hope lots of future defenders, just as we had [Franco] Baresi, [Paolo] Maldini, [Alessandro] Nesta, [Fabio] Cannavaro, will see us four as idols.”
The 121-cap star initially joined Juventus from Bari in 2010.
He played for Juve for seven years during his first stint, before spending the 2017-18 season at AC Milan.
Bonucci returned to Juventus in 2018, spending a further five seasons in Turin.
He played 502 times for the Old Lady, winning eight Serie A titles and four Coppa Italias.
The decorated defender was an unused substitute during Union Berlin’s 3-0 defeat to RB Leipzig prior to the international break, and is yet to make his debut for the Bundesliga side.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
