Daniele Bonera: Experience and class
One of the most decorated footballers to play for Villarreal, Daniele Bonera has won as many trophies than anyone who’s ever represented the Yellow Submarine and has done it at club and international level. In his club career he has more more than 450 appearances in all competitions with 16 caps for the Italian national team.
Bonera was born in Brescia, Italy on 31st May 1981. His career began with Brescia in 1995 where he was in the club’s youth teams. Five years later he made his first-team debut. He lasted three seasons with the club before joining Parma. His impressive time with Parma earned him a move to AC Milan worth €3.3 million. With Milan he made a name for himself by making over 200 appearances in all competitions and winning multiple titles, which included the 2006/07 UEFA Champions League, 2007/08 UEFA Super Cup, and the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup. Also with AC Milan he won multiple domestic titles, including the 2010/11 Serie A, and the 2011/12 Italian Super Cup.
Towards the end of his career at AC Milan he was marked by many injuries, including a ten-month injury lay-off. Bonera admitted that this long-term injury really tested him. During this time he stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport: “It was hard to stay off the field for so long. I want to thank the Milan doctors and the physicians for the way they took care of me. The signals I am receiving from my body are positive and I am only awaiting the day of my comeback.” Once he came back he continued to play for Milan until he joined Villarreal in 2015.
Villarreal signed a defender who put winning in front of everything. He willingly put forward the effort and sacrifice for the better of the team, and looked after his teammates to help them be at their best. Bonera prioritized team accomplishments ahead of individual accomplishments. He continually rose in big occasions, could mark any player on the pitch and stop the opposing teams attack in key moments of the game. He earned his teammates’ respect by his leadership, work ethic and passion for the game. Bonera’s personality will resonate within any club he plays for because he is a no-nonsense player, not to mention a great example for all players on how to be a top professional. With his sliding tackles, goal-line clearances, and full-blooded performances, Bonera has proven time and time again that he is willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win games and that is exactly what he has done throughout his career. He arrived at Villarreal as an older player, but has continued to make an impact at the club with his unrivaled experience and above all, class.
When asked the secret of why Italian players have such long careers, Bonera credits his longevity to the legends he has shared a dressing room with. In a recent interview with Edu Chova of El Mundo, Bonera said “Every year that goes by, you have to take better care of yourself, train a little less, but better. When I arrived at Milan, at 25 years old, I shared a dressing room with Maldini, who was 39 at the time, and Costacurta, who was 41. In the dressing room there were examples of older players who left everything on the pitch. They were great footballers but above all, real men.” When asked about his role with the team he acknowledged that he’s not the same player he used to be. He stated: “Of course, when I was 34, I did not come in saying ‘I’m a starter’. But I feel more and more like one every day. I always try to train to be in the starting lineup on Sunday, then it’s the coach’s decision. There are times when you are better, others when your teammate is. The time will come for me to sit on the bench, but at the moment I’m always available.”
When Villarreal played against Real Madrid in the 2017/18 season, they won a historic game against them at the Bernabeu. Team-mate Jaume Costa said after the game in an interview with El Periódico Mediterraneo that Bonera is an “example to follow because after playing with the best in the world and being at Milan for many years he shows his humility, sacrifice and responsibility every day, when others would most likely be on holiday or retired.” There is no question that Bonera has become Mr. Reliable for Villarreal, to step onto the pitch whenever the manager calls on him. He has made a huge impact on the club and will continue to help the team in whatever way he can for as long as he can.
Bonera will always be loved and adored by the Yellows for all the memories and moments he has shared with the fans while wearing the yellow shirt. Grazie mille per tutto, Daniele!
