Just days after winning the Carabao Cup with Newcastle United, Sandro Tonali was on the scoresheet for Italy.
Sandro Tonali was superb at Wembley as Newcastle United beat Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final.
After returning from his betting suspension, Tonali was in awe of Newcastle fans, and he repaid their loyalty by helping to end the club’s 70-year wait for a trophy.
But for many players, Newcastle’s celebrations at Wembley were cut short as there are 14 Newcastle players on international duty this month.
That includes Sandro Tonali, who jetted off to join up with the Italy national team this week. The 24-year-old started in midfield for the Azzurri against Germany in their Nations League clash on Thursday evening.
AC Milan fans react as Sandro Tonali scores for Italy
It took Tonali just nine minutes to get on the scoresheet for Italy but they ended up suffering a 2-1 defeat to Germany in the Nations League.
Tonali has thrived in a deeper role for Newcastle this season, but he played on the left of a midfield trio for Italy.
After Tonali scored at the San Siro, fans of his former club AC Milan were all saying the same thing on social media.
Via X, one supporter wrote: “Tonali scoring at San Siro again, he will always be welcome here.”
Another posted: “When Italy plays, we Milan fans suffer 3 times: obviously for the national team, for the phenomenon Tonali lost, and finally because in the national team there is not a player from Milan.
One fan simply asked: “How could a player like Sandro Tonali be sold?”, while another replied: “The most disgusting thing that has ever been done”. It’s fair to say the Milan fans are missing Tonali this season.
Another Milan supporter added: “San Siro is your true home. You’re alone in Erasmus now. Come back soon Sandro.”
Finally, another Milan supporter posted: “The goal at San Siro, how much we miss Tonali!!”
Sandro Tonali was linked with AC Milan return
Despite his incredible form on Tyneside and his love for the Newcastle fanbase, Tonali is constantly linked with a return to Italy.
Tonali’s agent shut down Italy rumours with a strong-worded statement in February, but links to other Serie A clubs such as Juventus have also emerged.
Ahead of the cup final, Tonali sent a message to Newcastle fans where he admitted that he will consider a return to Italy later in his career but for now he is fully focused on his job at St James’ Park.
READ MORE: Incredibly, Sandro Tonali has just done something no other Newcastle United player has since 2015
“The idea of returning to Milan one day is there, but it’s not the first thing on my mind when I wake up in the morning,” Tonali said.
It sounds as though Milan fans would also love to see Tonali return to Italy later down the line, but for now Newcastle will do everything possible to make him a big part of Eddie Howe’s long-term project.
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