Sports

Danilo to salute Juventus fans 1 year on from tense exit

Published

1 hour ago

3 January 2026

Danilo of Juventus during the warm up prior to the Serie A match between Juventus FC and Cagliari Calcio at Allianz Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)

Former Juventus defender Danilo will be in the stands for the Serie A game against Lecce, finally able to salute the fans a year after his controversial departure.

It kicks off at the Allianz Juventus Stadium in Turin on Saturday at 17.00 GMT (18.00 CET).

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Danilo is expected to be in the stands to cheer on former teammate Gleison Bremer in his 100^th game for the Bianconeri.

Although the fans will reserve a special welcome for the veteran, there is no walk around the pitch or formal salute planned by the club.

Danilo felt pushed out of Juventus

Danilo of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring goal 2-1 during the Pre-season Frienldy match between Juventus FC and Brest at Stadio Adriatico Giovanni Cornacchia on August 03, 2024 in Pescara, Italy. (Photo by Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images)

The centre-back had openly declared he was frustrated by the situation in Turin, when he was pushed out by then-coach Thiago Motta and director of sport Cristiano Giuntoli.

The captain was shoved to the bench and pressured to accept a transfer back to Brazil with Flamengo.

Danilo wore the Juventus jersey from August 2019 to January 2025, making 213 competitive appearances for the Old Lady.

Both Thiago Motta and Giuntoli have since been fired, so there is a whole new hierarchy now.