Article by Raffaele (@ItalianoCalcio)
Sometimes as a fan it is so easy to get caught up in your team’s success or failure on the field, or reading about the latest transfer rumors. Football is a sport, a game, but it can transcend itself to more than just a game. There are stories that emerge to remind you of this and they are feel good stories.
Bonucci is one of the game’s best defenders. A tough man on the field that backs down from no one. Remember the story about a thief that broke into Bonucci’s house and instead of being scared, Bonucci chased the thief out of the house. That is one tough man, but Bonucci is also strong off the field. We all know about one of Leonardo Bonucci’s sons, Matteo, who has battled with health issues. It forced Bonucci to step away from the game so he could help take care of Matteo and made him consider retiring. Bonucci remained strong, just like his young son Matteo did. Bonucci needed to remain strong for his family. Fans everywhere showed their support for Matteo and Leonardo Bonucci. It was a great display that reminded all of us that football is much more than just a game.
Matteo supports the club his father plays for, Juventus. Makes sense, right? Your dad is a star for Juventus, you support Juventus. Well, Bonucci has another son, Lorenzo. Lorenzo is a fan of Juve’s city rivals Torino. How on earth could Bonucci allow his own son to support Torino? No way this could be allowed in the Bonucci household. Well as it turns out Bonucci doesn’t have a problem with it. Little Lorenzo supports Torino because Andrea Belotti is his favorite player.
What makes it even better that Bonucci allows his son to support Torino, is that he doesn’t hide it. He constantly posts pictures on Twitter and Instagram showing Lorenzo wearing a Belotti shirt or doing Belotti’s trademark “Gallo” gesture. He also uses the hashtag #DerbyInCasaBonucci. The Juventus defender recently posted a picture showing that Lorenzo got two new Andrea Belotti trading cards and was so happy. Belotti responded to the post on Twitter showing how much he loves having the support of little Lorenzo.
Bonucci has won league titles, Coppa Italia, and is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world. But if you ask me, Bonucci should win father of the year for all the support and love he gave Matteo when he needed it the most and for allowing Lorenzo to support Juve’s city rivals Torino. Bonucci’s love for his family is the perfect example that demonstratesfootball is more than just a game, it transcends to levels much more than that.
