‘I have no motivation’ – Sandro Tonali makes bombshell Newcastle United confession

When Sandro Tonali arrived at Newcastle United in a £55 million move from AC Milan, expectations soared. The Italian midfielder was seen as the creative heartbeat the Magpies needed to compete at the highest level—until disaster struck.

Just 12 games into his Toon career, football’s governing bodies handed him a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations. The punishment sent shockwaves through St. James’ Park, threatening to derail Newcastle’s ambitions in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Yet, rather than casting him aside, the club and its supporters chose to stand by him. Tonali openly admitted to struggling with a gambling addiction, and instead of facing exile, he found understanding.

When his suspension ended in August, he returned to action against Nottingham Forest, stepping back onto the pitch with a mix of relief and determination.

Eddie Howe, known for his ability to maximize players’ potential, saw something others didn’t. After a few months of reintegration, he repositioned Tonali in a deeper midfield role—a decision that would redefine Newcastle’s season.

The 24-year-old, once an attacking playmaker, became the team’s metronome, dictating tempo, breaking up play, and launching attacks with precision.

The tactical shift didn’t just salvage Tonali’s career—it propelled Newcastle to new heights. The Magpies went on to lift the Carabao Cup, with Tonali playing a pivotal role in their Wembley triumph over Liverpool. His performances since returning have been nothing short of transformative, earning him adoration from fans who never stopped chanting his name, even during his darkest days.

Behind the scenes, Tonali’s journey back was far from easy. In a candid interview with Cronache di Spogliatoio, he revealed the mental toll of his suspension.

“I worked with the psychologist for a year, meeting him four times a week,” he admitted. “At first, it wasn’t easy. I couldn’t rely on anything to numb the frustration—no shortcuts, no distractions. The hardest part was finding purpose when football was taken away.”

For months, Tonali trained without a clear goal. “In the first two months, I went through the motions, but there was no fire,” he confessed. “When you’re not competing, when there’s no fight for a starting spot, motivation disappears. Some mornings, I’d step onto the training pitch and ask myself, ‘Why am I even here?’”

It took weeks of psychological work to reignite his drive. “We spent two full weeks just trying to find that spark again,” he said. “There were days I didn’t even want to get out of bed.”

One of the most striking aspects of Tonali’s recovery was his decision to disconnect entirely from the outside world. “I was lucky to be in England,” he reflected. “For seven months, I lived without a phone, without social media, without any news. I only watched matches and films—nothing else.”

The isolation, ironically, became his salvation. “I have no idea what was being said about me during that time, and I didn’t care,” he stated. “That’s the beauty of it. I knew I made a mistake. I knew I had to pay for it. But constantly seeing my name dragged through the mud? That would have destroyed me.”

By shutting out the noise, Tonali found clarity. “Not knowing what people were saying made me feel lighter,” he said. “I focused on becoming a better man, not on defending myself.”

Today, Tonali isn’t just back—he’s thriving. His redemption arc has become one of the most compelling stories in football, a testament to resilience and the power of support.

Newcastle’s decision to stand by him, rather than discard him, has paid off in ways few could have predicted.

The Italian’s influence on the pitch is undeniable, but his impact off it is just as profound. He has become a symbol of second chances, proving that mistakes don’t have to define a career. For Newcastle fans, his journey mirrors their own club’s resurgence—a story of setbacks, faith, and ultimate triumph.

As the Magpies push for Champions League qualification and beyond, Tonali stands at the heart of their ambitions. His story is no longer about a fall from grace, but about how loyalty, patience, and tactical brilliance can rewrite a player’s destiny. And for those who never stopped believing in him, that’s the greatest victory of all.