It has been a week of mixed emotions and heartwarming celebrations for Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali, who has found himself balancing professional caution with immense personal joy. Before making his return to Tyneside for Premier League duties, the Italian midfielder and his wife, Juliette Pastore, took a moment to celebrate a major milestone in their personal lives.
While the football world was focused on international qualifiers, the Tonali household was focused on the exciting future arrival of their first child.
The couple, who tied the knot earlier this summer, recently hosted a beautiful baby shower surrounded by their closest friends and family. This celebration came just after Tonali withdrew from the Italy squad ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Norway.
While leaving the national team camp usually signals bad news, this particular break offered a silver lining. It allowed Sandro to rejoin Juliette in Milan for the festivities. The couple is expecting a baby boy in early 2026, adding a new chapter to what has been a transformative few years for the midfielder.
In a recent interview with Newcastle United’s official website, Tonali had playfully mentioned that they had selected a name but intended to keep it under wraps for a little while longer. He teased that the secret might be revealed after the baby shower, and it appears the couple didn’t keep fans waiting too long.
Through a series of heartwarming photos posted to Juliette’s Instagram account, it was revealed during the party that their son will be named Leonardo. The images showed a happy couple enjoying the moment, a stark contrast to the high-pressure environment of elite football.
The timing of the baby shower coincided perfectly with a tactical decision made by the Italy coaching staff. There was initial concern among Newcastle fans when news broke that Tonali would play no part in Italy’s match against Norway.
Given his importance to the Magpies, any absence usually sparks fears of injury. However, the decision was purely precautionary. With Italy having already secured a play-off spot, the national team boss, Gennaro Gattuso, opted not to risk Tonali.
The midfielder was sitting on a yellow card, meaning one more booking would have resulted in a suspension. Gattuso confirmed that while Tonali was fit, it simply wasn’t worth the risk, allowing the player to train and support his teammates from the stands without jeopardizing his future participation.
This update will cause a collective sigh of relief across Tyneside. There had been whispers and rumors, fueled by reports from journalists like Fabrizio Romano, suggesting that the midfielder wasn’t feeling 100 percent fit following a recent illness.
However, it is now understood that there are no significant physical issues. Tonali is expected to return to Newcastle fully fit and ready for selection. This is a massive boost for manager Eddie Howe, as the team prepares for a colossal showdown against Manchester City at St James’ Park this coming Saturday.
Since joining Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023, Tonali’s journey has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. His debut season was marred by a difficult ten-month suspension due to betting regulations, a ban that restricted him to just a dozen appearances in his first year.
It was a testing time that could have derailed a lesser player. However, Tonali showed incredible resilience. Since returning to the fold, he has re-established himself as a linchpin in Eddie Howe’s midfield setup.
His influence was undeniable last season, where he played a pivotal role in helping the club secure the Carabao Cup and qualify for the prestigious Champions League.
Despite his current success and happiness in England, Tonali remains a realist about the volatile nature of modern football. In a candid discussion earlier this month, he touched upon his future with a level of honesty that fans have come to appreciate.
He explained that he prefers to look at his career year by year rather than making grand, long-term promises that he might not be able to keep. He noted that in football, things can change rapidly, and while he doesn’t want to falsely claim he will stay for a decade, he is genuinely happy right now.
He emphasized that if life presents a new option or a move to another team, every player has to consider the entire picture for their career and family.
However, he was quick to reassure supporters that his focus remains firmly on the present. Currently, he isn’t thinking about other clubs or looking for a way out.
His immediate priority is his life at Newcastle and his growing family. With a baby boy named Leonardo on the way and a massive fixture against Manchester City on the horizon, Sandro Tonali seems to be in a very good place, both on and off the pitch.
