Article by Alexandru Tomuțiu – Published on Thursday, 05 March 2026 22:03 / Updated on Thursday, 05 March 2026 22:05
Former Italian international Giacomo Bonaventura has officially ended his football career at the age of 36. The midfielder announced the news through a post on social media.
A product of Atalanta's academy, Bonaventura played for the Bergamo outfit and five other clubs: Pergolettese (loan), Padova (loan), Milan, Fiorentina and Al-Shabab, where he left last summer.
Giacomo Bonaventura has ended his football career
He collected the most matches in the “Rossoneri” shirt, with which he also won his only trophy at the elite level: the Italian Super Cup in 2016. Bonaventura recorded a total of 585 matches, with 94 goals and 72 assists at club level. The midfielder can also boast 18 appearances for Italy's first team, scoring one goal and providing four assists.
“When I don't feel the inner fire anymore, I think the time has come. There's no point in continuing to play and burn myself out. That way I risk not enjoying myself anymore, and in my opinion, it doesn't make any sense. When I started to feel that way, I made this decision. The team I played for the most was definitely Milan.
Giacomo Bonaventura ended his football career // photo: Imago Images
I stayed there for six years and I probably have the most matches for this team, I am most attached to it. But I can't not mention Atalanta and Fiorentina. Each of them, in their own way, was an experience that gave me so much and helped me grow enormously.
In football, when you don't play for two weeks, everyone looks at you. But I want to be remembered as a football enthusiast. Someone who worked hard and always tried to give his best, no tricks or tricks. I have always believed in hard work and strived to give my best. Among my fondest memories will certainly be playing for the national team: every boy's dream.
I always gave my best and even if things don't go the way you want during your career, you have to accept them as they are, appreciate them and use them to grow, becoming a better player and person,” Bonaventura wrote in his emotional post.
