According to reports in Italy, Juventus are facing a delicate situation with their former captain Danilo. The Brazilian defender has not only lost the captain’s armband but also his regular starting position, finding himself largely out of the team’s rotation. This stark contrast between his status as Brazil’s captain and starter and his diminished role at the club level has led to speculation about his future.
According to reports from Corriere Torino (via Calciomercato), Danilo is considering leaving Juventus as early as January. The 33-year-old defender’s contract is set to expire on June 30, 2025, and includes an automatic renewal clause that activates if he plays in 50% of the team’s matches. However, his current situation makes reaching this threshold unlikely.
While Juventus officials deny any issues with Danilo, the player reportedly finds his new role as a bit-part player strange and potentially unacceptable. This season, under new manager Thiago Motta, Danilo has seen a significant shift in the defensive hierarchy. Motta has established his preferred back four of Kalulu, Gatti, Bremer, and Cambiaso, relegating Danilo to a backup role alongside Savona, Cabal, and Rouhi.
The statistics paint a clear picture of Danilo’s reduced involvement. In the 2024-25 season so far, he has played just 38 minutes across two brief appearances in Juventus’ six official matches in Serie A and Champions League combined. This is a far cry from his overall record at the club since joining in 2019, which includes 199 appearances, 9 goals, and several domestic trophies.
