Sandro Tonali

{{EngvarB|date=June 2025}}

{{Short description|Italian footballer (born 2000)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Sandro Tonali

| image = Norway Italy - June 2025 B 03.jpg

| caption = Tonali playing for Italy in 2025

| full_name = Sandro Tonali{{cite web |url=https://www.legaseriea.it/uploads/default/attachments/comunicati/comunicati_m/8410/files/allegati/8506/cu283.pdf |title=Comunicato Ufficiale N. 283 |trans-title=Official Statement No. 283 |publisher=Lega Serie A |page=3 |date=30 July 2020 |access-date=29 August 2021 |language=it |archive-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220325154607/https://www.legaseriea.it/uploads/default/attachments/comunicati/comunicati_m/8410/files/allegati/8506/cu283.pdf |url-status=dead }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|5|8|df=y}}

| birth_place = Lodi, Italy

| height = 1.81 m{{cite web |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/teams/men-first-team/players/sandro-tonali/biography |title=Sandro Tonali: Biography |publisher=AC Milan |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627160518/https://www.acmilan.com/en/teams/men-first-team/players/sandro-tonali/biography |archive-date=27 June 2023 |url-status=dead }}

| position = Midfielder

| currentclub = Newcastle United

| clubnumber = 8

| youthyears1 = 2009–2012

| youthclubs1 = Piacenza

| youthyears2 = 2012–2017

| youthclubs2 = Brescia

| years1 = 2017–2021

| clubs1 = Brescia

| caps1 = 88

| goals1 = 6

| years2 = 2020–2021

| clubs2 = → AC Milan (loan)

| caps2 = 25

| goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2021–2023

| clubs3 = AC Milan

| caps3 = 70

| goals3 = 7

| years4 = 2023–

| clubs4 = Newcastle United

| caps4 = 44

| goals4 = 5

| nationalyears1 = 2018

| nationalteam1 = Italy U19

| nationalcaps1 = 12

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2019–2023

| nationalteam2 = Italy U21

| nationalcaps2 = 14

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2019–

| nationalteam3 = Italy

| nationalcaps3 = 25

| nationalgoals3 = 2

| club-update = 23:52, 25 May 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 9 June 2025

}}

Sandro Tonali ({{IPA|it|ˈsandro toˈnaːli}}; born 8 May 2000) is an Italian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{English football updater|NewcastU}} club Newcastle United and the Italy national team.

He began his professional career at Brescia, winning Serie B in 2018–19. A year later he moved to Milan, initially on loan. He played 130 total games for Milan, and won Serie A in 2021–22. In 2023 he signed for Newcastle for a reported fee of €70 million, making him the most expensive Italian footballer of all time.

Club career

=Brescia=

Tonali made his professional debut for Brescia Calcio on 26 August 2017, aged 17, coming on as a substitute in the Serie B away match lost 2–1 against Avellino.{{cite web|publisher=Soccerway|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2017/08/26/italy/serie-b/us-avellino/brescia-calcio/2560032/|title=Game Report by Soccerway|date=26 August 2017}} On 28 April 2018 he scored his first professional career goal, in a 4–2 defeat against Salernitana in Serie B.{{cite web|author1=Angelo Taglieri|date=28 April 2018|title=Tonali, primo gol in carriera: Juve e Inter lo hanno già chiesto, il Milan...|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/tonali-primo-gol-in-carriera-juve-e-inter-lo-hanno-gia-chiesto-i-69224|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=calciomercato.com|language=Italian}} He obtained 19 league appearances in total during his first season as a professional player, scoring two goals and providing two assists during the 2017–18 Serie B season.{{cite web|author1=Nikita Fesyukov|date=14 October 2018|title=Introducing Tonali, 'the next Pirlo' wanted by Sarri and Allegri|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/introducing-tonali-the-next-pirlo-wanted-by-sarri-and-allegri-12923|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=calciomercato.com}}

The following season, Tonali won the Serie B title with Brescia, and achieved promotion to Serie A, featuring as a starter for the club throughout the entire 2018–19 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/141215/brescia-back-business |title=Brescia back in business |publisher=Football Italia |last1=Rahaman |first1=Vijay |date=26 July 2019 |access-date=25 September 2019 }}

He made his Serie A debut on 25 August 2019, aged 19, in a 1–0 away win against Cagliari.{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/juventus-and-milan-dealt-blow-as-brescia-will-keep-tonali-38111 |title=Juventus and Milan dealt blow as Brescia will keep Tonali |publisher=calciomercato.com |date=26 August 2019 |access-date=25 September 2019 }} On 29 September, he assisted Mario Balotelli's goal from a corner kick in a 2–1 away loss to Napoli; he also scored a goal during the match with a powerful shot from outside the area, which was disallowed by VAR, however, for a foul by Brescia's Dimitri Bisoli on Napoli's Nikola Maksimović.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/SerieA/match/142421|title=Napoli 2 – 1 Brescia|publisher=Football Italia|date=29 September 2019}} He scored his first Serie A goal on 26 October, netting a long-range free kick into the top corner from the left flank, which was the opening goal in an eventual 3–1 away defeat to Genoa.{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/juventus-held-to-draw-at-serie-a-struggler-lecce-1.1387599 |title=Juventus held to draw at Serie A struggler Lecce |publisher=TSN |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=26 October 2019 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.thescore.com/ita_fed/news/1863673 |title=3 subs, 3 goals as Motta's Genoa debut goes to plan |publisher=The Score |date=26 October 2019 |access-date=26 October 2019 }}

=AC Milan=

==2020–2021: loan==

On 9 September 2020, Tonali joined AC Milan,{{Cite web|date=9 September 2020|title=Official Statement: Sandro Tonali|url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2020-09-09/official-statement-sandro-tonali|access-date=9 September 2020|website=AC Milan}}{{Cite web|title=Tonali ceduto a titolo temporaneo|url=https://www.bresciacalcio.it/news/ultime-news/12888/tonali-ceduto-a-titolo-temporaneo|access-date=2020-09-10|website=bresciacalcio.it|language=it|archive-date=28 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028175418/https://www.bresciacalcio.it/news/ultime-news/12888/tonali-ceduto-a-titolo-temporaneo|url-status=dead}} on a season-long loan for €10 million with an option to buy for €15 million, plus bonuses worth €10 million.{{Cite web|title=Mercato, Tonali al Milan: ci sono firma e annuncio|url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/09-09-2020/mercato-tonali-milan-oggi-firma-sandro-si-annuncia-instagram-3801811264648.shtml|access-date=2020-09-10|website=La Gazzetta dello Sport|date=9 September 2020 |language=it-IT}} The player will earn a yearly wage of €2 million for five years. Three days later, he made his non-competitive debut in a friendly at Milanello against his previous club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milannews.it/i-tabellini/milan-brescia-3-1-il-tabellino-dell-amichevole-383779|title=Milan-Brescia 3–1: il tabellino dell'amichevole|website=Milan News}}

Tonali made his competitive debut for Milan on 17 September 2020, coming on as a substitute in the 83rd minute in a 2–0 victory against Shamrock Rovers FC in the second round of Europa League qualifying. He made his Serie A debut for Milan on 21 September 2020, coming off the bench in the 77th minute in a 2–0 victory over Bologna FC 1909 at the San Siro. Tonali finished the season with 37 appearances, 23 of those in the starting eleven.

== 2021–2022: Serie A champion ==

File:SandroTonali2022Salzburg.jpg in 2022]]

On 8 July 2021, Milan officially purchased Tonali's rights from Brescia and he signed a five-year contract with the club.{{cite web|publisher=AC Milan|url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/media/2021-07-08/official-statement-sandro-tonali|title=OFFICIAL STATEMENT: SANDRO TONALI|date=8 July 2021}} He took a pay-cut to secure his childhood dream move to Milan and was praised by the fans on social media for this gesture.{{Cite web|url=https://sempremilan.com/tonali-reveals-why-he-accepted-pay-cut-to-stay-at-milan-and-admits-there-were-other-clubs|title=Tonali reveals why he accepted pay cut to stay at Milan and admits:there were other clubs|date=21 July 2021}}

Tonali scored his first goal with Milan's shirt on 29 August 2021 against Cagliari, a free kick that opened the scoresheet in eventual 4–1 win.{{cite web |title=AC MILAN HIT FOUR IN HOME OPENER |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/serie-a/2021-08-29/ac-milan-hit-four-in-home-opener |website=acmilan |access-date=16 February 2022}} On 3 October at Gewiss Stadium against Atalanta, Tonali dispossessed the ball from Remo Freuler and ran to the opponents box to score the second goal in eventual 3–2 victory for Milan.{{cite web |title=DOMINANT AC MILAN EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN BERGAMO |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/serie-a/2021-10-03/dominant-ac-milan-emerge-victorious-in-bergamo |website=acmilan |access-date=16 February 2022}} On 25 February 2022, Tonali assisted Rafael Leão's goal against Udinese, becoming the youngest midfielder to have scored more than one goal (two) and delivered more than one assist (two) in Serie A that season.{{cite web |title=AC MILAN V UDINESE: THE NUMBERS FROM THE GAME |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2022-02-25/ac-milan-v-udinese-the-numbers-from-the-game |website=acmilan |access-date=27 February 2022}}

On 24 April as the match against Lazio was heading to 1–1 draw, Tonali scored the winner in the stoppage time, securing the lead for his team in Serie A table.{{cite web |title=COMEBACK IN THE CAPITAL |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/serie-a/2022-04-24/comeback-in-the-capital |website=acmilan |access-date=24 April 2022}} On 8 May 2022, his 22nd birthday, Tonali scored an equalising and a winning goal in the 3–1 away Serie A victory against Hellas Verona.{{cite web |title=Le pagelle di Tonali: siamo a livelli extraterrestre, leader del Diavolo a 22 anni |url=https://www.milannews.it/news/le-pagelle-di-tonali-siamo-a-livelli-extraterrestre-leader-del-diavolo-a-22-anni-451169 |website=MilanNews |access-date=10 May 2022}} The comeback victory brought Milan back on top of the Serie A following Inter's 48-hour stay there in a close championship race. Tonali is also the youngest midfielder to have scored five or more goals in Serie A that season (and the second-youngest among all players, older only than Bologna's Aaron Hickey).{{cite web |title=HELLAS VERONA V AC MILAN: THE NUMBERS FROM THE GAME |url=https://www.acmilan.com/en/news/articles/stats/2022-05-08/hellas-verona-v-ac-milan-the-numbers-from-the-game |website=ACMILAN |access-date=10 May 2022}} After 3–0 away win against Sassuolo on 22 May, Milan secured their first Scudetto in 11 years, In total, Tonali played 36 games in the campaign, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists.

Tonali's performance that season brought the attention and praise of renowned Italian football pundits, the likes of Paolo Di Canio, Roberto Donadoni and Fabio Capello, the latter went on to state that Tonali would have found a place in even the greatest of Milan's generation in the past.{{cite web |last1=Mork |first1=Martin |title=DONADONI AND DI CANIO ON TONALI: 'HE HAS IMPROVED A LOT' |url=https://football-italia.net/donadoni-and-di-canio-on-tonali-he-has-improved-a-lot/ |website=Football Italia |date=4 October 2021 |access-date=16 March 2022}}{{cite web |title=Capello: "Rossoneri, la ricetta per vincere. Tonali? avrebbe giocato anche nel grande Milan" |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Serie-A/Milan/16-03-2022/milan-intervista-capello-theo-leao-tonali-kalulu-4301868892474_preview.shtml?reason=unauthenticated&origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gazzetta.it%2FCalcio%2FSerie-A%2FMilan%2F16-03-2022%2Fmilan-intervista-capello-theo-leao-tonali-kalulu-4301868892474.shtml |website=La Gazetta dello Sport | date=16 March 2022 |access-date=16 March 2022}}

=Newcastle United=

On 3 July 2023, Premier League club Newcastle United announced the signing of Tonali on a five-year contract, for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/news/latest-news/newcastle-united-sign-sandro-tonali/|title=NEWCASTLE UNITED SIGN SANDRO TONALI|publisher=Newcastle United F.C.|date=3 July 2023}}{{Cite news |date=3 July 2023 |title=Newcastle sign Milan midfielder Tonali |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66006906 |access-date=2023-07-03}} Reported to be around €70 million, this made Tonali the most expensive Italian player of all time.{{cite web| url = https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/newcastle-sign-tonali-ac-milan-2023-07-03/| title = Newcastle sign Tonali from AC Milan| date = 3 July 2023| website = Reuters.com| access-date = 3 July 2023}}

On 18 July, he made his debut for Newcastle in Allan McGregor's testimonial match against Rangers.{{Cite web |date=18 July 2023 |title=Rangers 1 Newcastle United 2 |url=https://www.nufc.co.uk/matches/first-team/2023-24/rangers-vs-newcastle-united/ |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=Newcastle United Football Club |language=en}} On 12 August, he scored the opening goal on his Premier League debut in a 5–1 win over Aston Villa.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/12/newcastle-aston-villa-premier-league-match-report |title=Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak star in Newcastle's rout of Aston Villa |work=The Guardian |date=12 August 2023 }}

On 18 October 2023, Newcastle announced Tonali was being investigated by the Italian Prosecutor's Office and the Italian Football Federation for alleged illegal betting activity.{{cite web |title=Sandro Tonali: Newcastle confirm midfielder is being investigated over alleged betting activity |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67149540 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=19 October 2023 |date=18 October 2023}} On 26 October, he was banned from playing football for 10 months for breaching Italian betting regulations. This included eight months in gambling rehabilitation. This meant he would miss the rest of the 2023–24 season and UEFA Euro 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/oct/26/sandro-tonali-newcastle-banned-10-month-over-betting|title=Sandro Tonali: Italian FA agrees 10-month ban for Newcastle footballer|first=Louise|last=Taylor|date=26 October 2023|work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2023/10/26/sandro-tonali-banned-10-months-newcastle-betting-gambling/|title=Newcastle's Sandro Tonali to miss rest of season and Euro 2024 after 10-month ban for betting breaches|first=Luke|last=Edwards|date=26 October 2023|work=The Daily Telegraph}} In March 2024, he was charged with misconduct in relation to alleged breaches of the Football Association's betting rules. The FA alleged that Tonali broke rules by placing bets on matches between 12 August and 12 October 2023.{{cite news |title=Sandro Tonali: Newcastle midfielder charged by FA for alleged breaches of betting rules |work=BBC Sport |date=28 March 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68686129 |access-date=28 March 2024}} He was handed an additional two-month suspended ban by the FA for these breaches in May 2024, though he was allowed to return to football in August on the condition that no further breaches are made during the 2024–25 season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11678/13127550/sandro-tonali-newcastle-midfielder-handed-two-month-suspended-ban-for-50-breaches-of-fa-betting-rules|title=Sandro Tonali: Newcastle midfielder handed two-month suspended ban for 50 breaches of FA betting rules|website=Sky Sports}}

On 28 August 2024, after serving his suspension, Tonali made his first appearance since October the previous year, playing 61 minutes of a 1–1 draw against Nottingham Forest in the third round of the EFL Cup.{{cite web | url=https://www.skysports.com/football/n-forest-vs-newcastle/report/521197 | title=Nottingham Forest 1–1 Newcastle (3–4 on pens): Sean Longstaff nets winning penalty as Sandro Tonali returns | work=Sky Sports }} Four days later, he made his Premier League return, appearing as a 68th minute substitute for Sean Longstaff in a 2–1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cg58p88l784o|title=Newcastle 2–1 Tottenham – Tonali return provides massive boost|date=1 September 2024|access-date=17 September 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

On 16 March 2025, Tonali became part of the first Newcastle United side to win a major domestic trophy in 70 years when he played the full 90 minutes in the 2025 EFL Cup final.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c62zl58dg8qt |website=BBC Football |access-date=21 March 2025 |title=Liverpool 1–2 Newcastle: Magpies win Carabao Cup to end 70-year domestic trophy wait }} Tonali had scored two goals in the quarter-final against Brentford to help the club reach the final.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cdekddne4edt |website=BBC Football |access-date=21 March 2025 |title=Newcastle United 3–1 Brentford: Newcastle cruise into Carabao Cup semis }}

International career

With the Italy U19 team, Tonali took part in the 2018 European Under-19 Championship, reaching the final of the tournament, where Italy lost 4–3 after extra time against Portugal. On 21 March 2019, he made his debut with the Italy U21 in a goalless friendly draw against Austria in Trieste.{{cite web |url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/nazionale-u21-a-trieste-e-pari-contro-l-austria-buona-la-prima-mezz-ora-dell-italia-ma-il-match-finisce-a-reti-bianche/ |title=A Trieste è pari contro l'Austria: buona la prima mezz'ora dell'Italia ma il match finisce a reti bianche|publisher=Italian Football Federation|language=it|date=21 March 2019 |access-date=16 October 2019 }} Tonali took part in the 2019 European Under-21 Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/news/nazionale-under-21-parte-avventura-europea-di-biagio-ufficializza-la-lista-dei-23-azzurrini/|title=Parte l'avventura europea: Di Biagio ufficializza la lista dei 23 Azzurrini|publisher=Italian Football Federation|language=It|date=6 June 2019|access-date=13 April 2020}}

In November 2018, Tonali received his first call-up to the Italian senior squad by manager Roberto Mancini.{{cite web|date=9 November 2018|title=Nazionale di calcio: Mancini convoca Tonali, Balotelli resta fuori|url=http://www.bsnews.it/2018/11/09/nazionale-calcio-manini-convoca-tonali-balotelli-fuori/|website=BS News|language=it}} On 10 October 2019, after appearing for the Italy U21 team in a goalless draw against Ireland in a European qualifier, he was called up to the Italy senior squad once again the following day for the team's Euro 2020 qualifiers against Greece and Liechtenstein.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/145138/italy-promote-tonali-seniors|url-status=dead|title=Italy promote Tonali to seniors|website=Football Italia |date=11 October 2019 |access-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20191022010648/https://football-italia.net/145138/italy-promote-tonali-seniors|archive-date=22 October 2019}}

Tonali made his senior international debut on 15 October 2019, coming on as a substitute in the 5–0 away victory against Liechtenstein in Vaduz.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/145285/historic-manita-liechtenstein|url-status=dead|title=Historic manita in Liechtenstein |website=Football Italia |date=15 October 2019 |access-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20200102060149/https://football-italia.net/145285/historic-manita-liechtenstein|archive-date=2 January 2020}} On 15 November, he started for the team in a 3–0 away victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina of the same tournament.{{cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/146483/italy-dominant-display-bosnia|url-status=dead|title=Italy: Dominant display in Bosnia|website=Football Italia |date=15 November 2019 |access-date=15 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802024453/https://football-italia.net/146483/italy-dominant-display-bosnia|archive-date=2 August 2020}}

Style of play

Regarded as a promising young Italian player in his position by the media, Tonali has been described by pundits as a regista,{{cite web|date=20 September 2018|title=Agent: 'Tonali better than Pirlo!'|url=https://www.football-italia.net/128253/agent-%E2%80%98tonali-better-pirlo%E2%80%99|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=Football Italia}} although he is a versatile midfielder, who is capable of playing in several roles.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4989200/2023/10/24/newcastle-sandro-tonali-replacement-transfer/ |title=How Newcastle could replace Sandro Tonali: Signings, loans and Saudi Arabia |work=The Athletic |last1=Whitehead |first1=Jacob |date=24 October 2023 |access-date=29 November 2023 }} In his youth, he was often likened to Andrea Pirlo – who also started his career with Brescia – in terms of his movement, coordination, appearance, technical qualities, position, and playing style.{{cite web|author1=Angelo Taglieri|date=30 July 2018|title=Inter, Juve e Roma avvisate: per Tonali Cellino studia un affare alla Nainggolan|url=https://www.calciomercato.com/news/inter-juve-e-roma-avvisate-per-tonali-cellino-studia-un-affare-a-90797|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=calciomercato.com|language=Italian}}{{cite web|author1=Gian Paolo Laffranchi|date=5 February 2018|title=Brescia al passo di Tonali in viaggio sulle orme di Pirlo|url=http://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/sport/brescia-calcio/brescia-al-passo-di-tonali-in-viaggio-sulle-orme-di-pirlo-1.6277956|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=bresciaoggi.it|language=Italian|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401193510/http://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/sport/brescia-calcio/brescia-al-passo-di-tonali-in-viaggio-sulle-orme-di-pirlo-1.6277956|url-status=dead}} A strong, fast, energetic, elegant, and creative midfielder, with excellent vision and an ability to read the game, Tonali usually plays in a central or defensive midfield role as a deep-lying playmaker in a 4–3–3 formation,{{cite web|author1=Fabio Pettenò|date=9 July 2018|title=Brescia, rifondazione in atto: cambia più di metà squadra|url=http://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/sport/brescia-calcio/brescia-rifondazione-in-atto-cambia-pi%C3%B9-di-met%C3%A0-squadra-1.6621603|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=bresciaoggi.it|language=Italian|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401193508/http://www.bresciaoggi.it/home/sport/brescia-calcio/brescia-rifondazione-in-atto-cambia-pi%C3%B9-di-met%C3%A0-squadra-1.6621603|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Alessandro Rubichini|date=7 September 2018|title=Analisi del Singolo: Sandro Tonali del Brescia|url=https://assoanalisti.it/analisi-del-singolo-sandro-tonali-del-brescia/|access-date=2020-08-12|website=AIAPC|language=it-IT}}{{Cite web|title=Bresciaingol – Brescia calcio – News, esclusive, diretta partita, calcio mercato, giovanili, calcio femminile|url=http://www.bresciaingol.com/news.asp?id_news=29603|access-date=2020-08-12|website=bresciaingol.com|archive-date=16 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916211908/http://www.bresciaingol.com/news.asp?id_news=29603|url-status=dead}} Dictating play for Brescia with his passing in midfield, he set up two goals and scored two himself in his 19 appearances in Serie B during the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|title=Sandro Tonali|url=https://www.tuttocalciatori.net/Tonali_Sandro|access-date=14 October 2018|publisher=tuttocalciatori.net|language=Italian}} Although naturally right-footed, he is known for his accurate long passing ability with either foot.{{cite web |url=https://www.calcionews24.com/sandro-tonali-caratteristiche-tecniche-ruolo |title=Chi è Sandro Tonali, il piccoletto che studia da Pirlo |publisher=calcionews24.com |language=Italian |last1=Piazzola |first1=Andrea |date=30 October 2018 |access-date=30 September 2019 }} Moreover, he is also adept at taking set-pieces.{{cite web |url=https://www.90min.com/posts/why-sandro-tonali-could-become-a-better-player-than-andrea-pirlo-01e86nxz51wt |title=Why Sandro Tonali Could Become a Better Player Than Andrea Pirlo |publisher=90min.com |last1=Bushe |first1=Lee |date=13 May 2020 |access-date=14 November 2021 }} His tenacity and defensive contribution also allow him to play as a box-to-box midfielder, while his creativity, ability to find space, make late runs, and his penchant for driving forward with the ball even saw him deployed in a more advanced role on occasion at Milan under manager Stefano Pioli, namely as a mezzala.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37586725/tonali-arrival-gives-milan-glimpse-their-bright-new-dawn-horizon |title=Tonali's arrival gives Milan a glimpse of their bright new dawn on the horizon |publisher=ESPN |date=9 September 2020 |access-date=29 November 2023 }}{{cite web |url=https://football-italia.net/how-tonali-can-guide-newcastle-to-victory-in-milan/ |title=UCL: How Tonali can guide Newcastle to victory in Milan |publisher=Football Italia |last1=Heyes |first1=Apollo |date=September 2023 |access-date=29 November 2023 }}

In addition to Pirlo, Tonali has also cited Steven Gerrard and Luka Modrić as influences, and has also compared his own playing style to that of Gennaro Gattuso.{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/brescia-tonali-i-am-ready-for-the-serie-a-pirlo-i-am-more-like-g-50569 |title=Brescia, Tonali: 'I am ready for the Serie A. Pirlo? I am more like Gattuso...' |publisher=calciomercato.com |date=27 July 2019 |access-date=30 September 2019 }} In July 2019, he was named by UEFA as one of the 50 promising young players to watch for the 2019–20 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0253-0e99d077bac2-c2ee61198ae0-1000--50-for-the-future-uefa-com-s-ones-to-watch-in-2019-20/ |title=50 for the future: UEFA.com's ones to watch in 2019/20 |publisher=UEFA |date=30 July 2019 |access-date=30 September 2019 }}

Personal life

Tonali has been an AC Milan fan since childhood.{{cite web |title=GdS: Milan fans are crazy about Tonali and his incredible growth this season |url=https://sempremilan.com/gds-milan-fans-are-crazy-about-tonali-and-his-incredible-growth-this-season |website=sempremilan |date=6 November 2021 |access-date=16 February 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Yokhin |first1=Michael |title=AC Milan: Is Sandro Tonali the new Andrea Pirlo? |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58549032 |access-date=16 February 2022 |publisher=BBC |date=15 September 2021}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 25 May 2025}}{{cite web|title=S. Tonali|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/sandro-tonali/495152/|website=Soccerway|access-date=23 December 2024}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

!rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coppa Italia, FA Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Brescia

|2017–18

|Serie B

|19

2colspan="2"|—colspan="2" |—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—192
2018–19

|Serie B

|34

3colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—343
2019–20

|Serie A

|35

110colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—361
colspan="2"|Total

!88

610colspan="6"|—896
AC Milan (loan)

|2020–21

|Serie A

|25

010colspan="2"|—11{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}}0colspan="2"|—370
rowspan="3"|AC Milan

|2021–22

|Serie A

|36

530colspan="2"|—6{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}}0colspan="2"|—455
2022–23

|Serie A

|34

210colspan="2"|—12{{efn|name=UCL}}01{{efn|Appearance in Supercoppa Italiana}}0482
colspan="2"|Total

!95

750colspan="2"|—290101307
rowspan="3"|Newcastle United

|2023–24

|Premier League

|8

100103{{efn|name=UCL}}0colspan="2"|—121
2024–25

|Premier League

|36

43062colspan="2"|—colspan="2"|—456
colspan="2"|Total

!44

5307230colspan="2"|—577
colspan="3"|Career total

!227

1890723201027620

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|match played 9 June 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.figc.it/it/nazionali/nazionali-in-cifre/dettaglio-convocato/?calciatoreId=46478&squadraId=24|title=Tonali, Sandro|publisher=FIGC|language=it|access-date=16 October 2019}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals

rowspan="7"|Italy

|2019

30
202010
202120
202260
202330
202461
202541
colspan="2"|Total252

{{updated|match played 20 March 2025}}

:Italy score listed first, score column indicates score after each Tonali goal.

class="wikitable sortable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Sandro Tonali

!scope="col"|No.

!scope="col"|Date

!scope="col"|Venue

!scope="col"|Cap

!scope="col"|Opponent

!scope="col"|Score

!scope="col"|Result

!scope="col"|Competition

style="text-align: center;"|114 November 2024King Baudouin Stadium, Brussels, Belgiumstyle="text-align: center;"|20{{fb|BEL}}style="text-align: center;"|1–0style="text-align: center;"|1–02024–25 UEFA Nations League A
style="text-align: center;"|220 March 2025San Siro, Milan, Italystyle="text-align: center;"|22{{fb|GER}}style="text-align: center;"|1–0style="text-align: center;"|1–22024–25 UEFA Nations League A

Honours

Brescia

AC Milan

  • Serie A: 2021–22{{cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/football/ac-milan-secure-1st-serie-a-title-in-11-years-5225965.html|title=Milan secure 1st Serie A title in 11 years|publisher=News18 India|date=22 May 2022|access-date=22 May 2022}}

Newcastle United

  • EFL Cup: 2024–25{{Cite web |date=16 March 2025 |title=Carabao Cup Final Liverpool 1–2 Newcastle United |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2025/march/16/newcastle-united-beat-liverpool-to-lift-carabao-cup/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website= |publisher=English Football League |language=en-GB}}

Italy U19

  • UEFA European Under-19 Championship runner-up: 2018{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/match/2024510--italy-vs-portugal/|title=Under-19 – Portugal win epic U19 EURO final|publisher=UEFA|access-date=31 July 2018}}

Individual

  • UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2018{{cite news|title=Under-19 EURO team of the tournament|url=https://www.uefa.com/under19/news/0257-0dee5d528f37-d719efae43a3-1000--under-19-euro-team-of-the-tournament/|publisher=UEFA|date = August 2018|access-date=8 February 2019}}
  • Serie B Footballer of the Year: 2018{{Cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2018/12/03/gran-gala-del-calcio-aic-2018-premiati.html|title=Gran Galà del calcio AIC 2018: Icardi il miglior giocatore 2017–2018. Tutti i premi|date=3 December 2018|publisher=sport.sky.it|access-date=3 December 2018|language=it}}
  • Serie B Best Young Player: 2019{{Cite web |url=https://www.football-italia.net/147169/gran-gala-del-calcio-2019-winners|title=Gran Gala del Calcio 2019 winners |publisher=Football Italia |date=2 December 2019|access-date=2 December 2019}}
  • Italian Golden Boy Award: 2020{{Cite web|last=Malik|first=Muqaddam|date=16 December 2020|title=AC Milan Midfielder Wins The 2020 Golden Boy Award For Italy|url=https://acmilan.theoffside.com/2020/12/16/22177964/ac-milan-midfielder-wins-the-2020-golden-boy-award-for-italy-sandro-tonali-news-brescia-tuttosport|access-date=29 August 2021|website=The AC Milan Offside}}
  • IFFHS Men's World Youth (U20) Team: 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1036&ved=2ahUKEwjYi-TBkNb0AhUIUWwGHecyBNkQFnoECAQQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1KsuRLOkdvcpMgQgM2DzGA|title = IFFHS}}
  • Serie A Player of the Month: May 2022{{cite news |url=https://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/sandro-tonali-ea-sports-player-of-the-month-for-may-1 |publisher=Serie A |access-date=19 May 2022 |date=19 May 2022 |title=Sandro Tonali EA Sports Player of the Month for May |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813081843/https://www.legaseriea.it/en/press/news/info/sandro-tonali-ea-sports-player-of-the-month-for-may-1 |url-status=dead }}
  • Premio Bulgarelli Number 8: 2022{{Cite web |date=25 May 2022|title=Milan, Tonali premiato come miglior mezz'ala: "Un onore e una gioia? |url=https://www.pianetamilan.it/news-milan/ultime-notizie/milan-tonali-premiato-24-05-2022/ |access-date=25 May 2022 |website=Pianeta Milan}}
  • Serie A Team of the Season: 2022–23{{cite news |date=2 June 2023 |title=EA Sports™ FIFA 23 Serie A Team of the Season |publisher=Serie A |url=https://www.legaseriea.it/en/media/serie-a/ea-sports-tm-fifa-23-serie-a-team-of-the-season-3 |access-date=2 June 2023}}

References

{{Reflist}}