Sandro Tonali: From Rejection to Rising Star
Newcastle United has made a significant signing this season, bringing in the highly respected Italian midfielder, Sandro Tonali, from AC Milan for a reported fee of £52 million. The 23-year-old star was Newcastle’s top midfield target, and he has now signed a five-year contract at St. James’ Park. But how did Tonali rise through the ranks to become an in-demand international midfielder and one of AC Milan’s best players?
Tonali was born in Lodi, Italy, to his father, Giandomenico, and mother, Mariarosa. Growing up, Tonali was immersed in an extremely religious background and spent a lot of time in the local oratory, a small chapel. It was here that he discovered his love for football and joined the chapel’s team, San Rocco 80. His first on-pitch idol was Italian cult hero Gennaro Gattuso, known for his tough tackling and no-nonsense aggressiveness.
Despite being a boyhood AC Milan fan, Tonali faced heartbreak when the Italian giants rejected him as a kid after a series of grueling trials. However, this setback did not deter him from excelling in youth football. In fact, he was said to have scored an impressive 100 goals during one season. Tonali’s determination paid off when he signed for Brescia’s academy and progressed through the ranks.
Tonali quickly became one of Brescia’s most promising players and made his senior debut at the age of 17. However, Brescia’s owner at the time, former Leeds chief Massimo Cellino, barred Tonali from playing until he signed a professional contract. Despite this obstacle, Tonali’s talent shone through during the 2018/19 season as he helped Brescia secure promotion and won Serie B’s Young Player of the Year award.
Brescia’s stint in Italy’s top flight was short-lived, but Tonali’s performances convinced AC Milan that they had made a mistake by rejecting him earlier. The Italian international initially joined Milan on loan before the deal was made permanent in 2021. Since then, Tonali has established himself as one of Italy’s best midfielders and has even drawn comparisons to Andrea Pirlo, both for his long hair and his ability to dictate play from deep.
Tonali has received high praise from Pirlo himself, who described him as “very good” and “the best in this league.” However, Tonali remains humble and does not see himself reaching the same heights as Pirlo. He acknowledges their differences on the pitch and recognizes Pirlo’s supreme qualities.
With 130 appearances for AC Milan, 14 senior appearances for the Italian national team, and a Serie A title under his belt, Tonali has made an impressive start to his career. Now, he has earned his move to England and will play a key role in Newcastle United’s project.
Tonali’s journey from rejection to becoming a rising star is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite facing setbacks early in his career, he persevered and proved his worth on the pitch. Newcastle United has undoubtedly made a wise investment in acquiring Tonali’s talents, and fans can look forward to watching him shine in the Premier League.