ISTANBUL

Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci confirmed his retirement from professional football at the age of 37 on Wednesday. 

"As a child, I dreamed of this story I would tell, promising myself achievements to embrace against the biggest, celebrating, having faith through difficulties with courage," Bonucci said in an emotional video posted on X.

"A father, a team-mate, a husband, a player. Beyond. Beyond history today, I am me," he added.

Bonucci has spent most of his time at Juventus, where he made 502 appearances and scored 37 goals for the Turin club.

He also played for Italian arch-rivals AC Milan and Inter Milan.

He took part in winning nine Italian Serie A titles, including eight with Juventus from 2012-2017 and two more in 2019 and 2020.

Bonucci was the Italian champion with Inter in 2006.

He joined Fenerbahce in January, making 13 appearances.

He amassed 121 international caps for Italy, where he won the EURO 2020 title in 2021.