Bonucci: I Rejected Real Madrid For Juve Return

By Max Wise

Leonardo Bonucci has revealed that he rejected the chance to join European Champions Real Madrid in favour of a return to Juventus at the beginning of the season.

Bonucci made a shock switch to fellow Serie A rivals AC Milan from Juventus in the 2017/2018 season but lasted just a year before making a swift return to the Old Lady in a swap deal involving Mattia Caldara heading to the opposite direction.

The 31-year-old Italian international has made an easy transition back into the Juventus starting eleven, with his 18 appearances in the Italian Serie A contributing to an unbeaten start to the season for the Champions.

Juventus face Atletico Madrid in the Champions league on Wednesday as they look to go a step further than they did when they lost the 2015 and 2017 finals to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

"Real Madrid's interest? Yes, it's true, Real Madrid were interested in me,” Bonucci told AS.

“It was an honour and pleasure for me, it means that I have worked well in these years.

“But the call from Juventus and the desire to return home was fundamental, I decided that the Bianconeri colours fit me better.”

Bonucci also revealed one of the reasons to go back to Turin was to be closer to his family, especially his son Matteo, who suffered a strange illness.

"I knew this decision would cause controversy but I know myself," he added. "I know how to respond in the field.

"How did my son Lorenzo react? He's happy because dad came home. Last year I was almost always in Milan and he could not see me. It was one of the reasons why I came back.

"It was a very tough five months, and I understood what my priorities were. Before, the desire to go far, to be a great player, led me to put football and family in the same place.

"I learned, thanks to Matteo, that I can live without football, but not without my family, my children. It is the ugliest thing that can happen to you, but luckily now everything is fine."