Sandro Tonali's second football life began on Friday 6 September in Paris. It coincided with a new start for the National Team, who, at the Parc des Princes, came from behind to run out 3-1 winners over France 69 days on from their defeat to Switzerland in the round of 16 of the Euros. “My return to the pitch against France was a release. I experienced my first matches with Newcastle from a heightened emotional perspective rather than a football one, but I only had football on my mind against France. It was my third match, and all the emotions that came with the first game were no longer there. It was wonderful, and everything came naturally.”

PIRLO AND GATTUSO. Born and raised in Lodi, Tonali took his first steps in the game at Lombardia Uno, a football school affiliated with AC Milan. It was clear from the beginning that he was no ordinary talent: “I played with my brother and his friends, who were three or four years older than me, and, despite the age difference, I was just as good as they were.”

On 13 December, the day of the Feast of Saint Lucy, the young Tonali had a special request: “I was a youngster who hoped to become a footballer. I expressed this wish to Saint Lucy on what is a very important holiday for us. I wrote to her asking to become a player for AC Milan. Saint Lucy, or someone else, must have listened to me...”

However, his first trial with AC Milan didn’t go well: “I think there are many youngsters who lose hope when something doesn’t go their way, but it’s just one of many obstacles that football places in front of you,” continued Tonali in his interview with the Federation’s OTT platform.

After three seasons in Piacenza’s youth sector, Sandro, aged 12, received a call from Brescia, with whom he made his debut in Serie B at 17 years old. For two years, he was named the best young player in Italy’s second tier, and then, with three goals in 34 appearances, he was a key figure as the Lombard club earned promotion to Serie A. Inevitably, comparisons were made to another young talent who blossomed in Brescia, namely Andrea Pirlo. But Sandro is a player who combines vision with an ability to break up play, and when his long-awaited transfer to AC Milan materialised in the summer of 2020, many began to compare him to another world champion: “My relationship with Rino began after my arrival at AC Milan when I asked if I could use his shirt number, which I’d seen him wear for so long and in an exemplary manner. I felt like I had to ask for his permission and advice, and that marked the start of a relationship that still exists today. He’s an amazing person who is different in real life compared to how he appeared on the pitch. He seemed rather tough out on the grass, but he’s always very helpful and supports everyone. That’s why I love him off the pitch, too.”

SIMPLICITY. Called up to the Italy squad for the first time by Roberto Mancini in November 2018, he made his Azzurri debut almost a year later in Vaduz, coming on for Bernardeschi in the 5-0 victory over Liechtenstein in Euro qualifying. However, he witnessed Italy’s EURO 2020 triumph at Wembley on TV, and, three years later, due to his suspension, he was forced to watch the Euros in Germany from afar, too: “My relationship with Coach Spalletti has been important; he’s been close to me. We haven’t always spoken a lot, but we’ve done so at the right times, and this was the case before and after the Euros. He hoped to find me in normal shape, aware I couldn’t be in perfect condition after a year off. At the Parc des Princes, it seemed like his spell on the sidelines had given him even more energy.

This view was only reinforced by his subsequent performances, and Tonali’s first Azzurri goal – in Belgium – was a well-deserved reward for all his good work: “We’re working on one aspect, which is simplicity. Everyone has been doing what they’re capable of in the best way possible, without trying to introduce something new. Each player helps out their teammates and it’s not about achieving something on an individual level. This has made the difference so far.” There is now plenty of enthusiasm, and the team’s qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals is a new departure point to reach even more ambitious goals: “When we’re here, we all dream about winning every single match and trying to lift trophies. Because triumphing with the National Team endures forever and means much more than anything else.”