Sandro Tonali, the former AC Milan midfielder now playing for Newcastle United, has opened up about his experience during his suspension and the unexpected support he received from Newcastle fans. In a recent interview with Sky, Tonali expressed his gratitude towards the club’s supporters for their non-judgmental attitude during his ban.
“The Newcastle fans’ behavior during my suspension was unexpected, and I want to thank them for not passing any judgment,” Tonali said. “Even when I watched matches at the stadium, I didn’t feel any criticism. Instead, they would shake my hand, which really struck me because I didn’t expect it.”
When asked about how his life has changed, Tonali acknowledged that many aspects have indeed shifted, but he feels good both on and off the field. He noted that his relationships with people have also evolved, extending beyond football and making a significant difference in his life.
Discussing the challenges of competing in English football, Tonali emphasized the need for consistent excellence. “You need to be super. Even a team with very strong players might not be at the top. We always have to be at 100%, and we don’t even know our limits. You can win or lose against both the first and last team in the standings, which is why we don’t set limits for ourselves,” he explained.
Regarding his personal goals, Tonali shared that his primary objective upon returning was to play as much as possible, acknowledging that it wouldn’t be easy. He feels he has achieved this in the best way possible, including his involvement with the national team, which was another major goal for him.
Looking ahead, Tonali remains focused on playing and performing at his best to help Newcastle achieve success. He highlighted the team’s progress in the cup competition, reaching the quarter-finals, as a significant objective. “Last year didn’t go well for us, but that remains one of our big goals,” he stated, underlining the team’s ambition in cup competitions.
