Sandro Tonali has established himself as a crucial player for Italy`s national team in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The midfielder delivered an outstanding performance in Italy`s recent 5-0 victory over Estonia, demonstrating his ability to control the midfield and lead the team.
Tonali`s exceptional display included winning numerous challenges in midfield and maintaining an impressive passing accuracy of over 90%. His performance outshone even that of Inter Milan star Nicolò Barella, who has won multiple Serie A titles and reached Champions League finals.
Tonali`s Impressive Comeback
The Newcastle United player has made a strong return to football following a 10-month suspension due to betting-related issues. Tonali quickly reclaimed his starting position for both club and country, contributing significantly to Newcastle`s Carabao Cup triumph in the 2024-25 season and helping the team secure a Champions League spot.
Tonali`s skill and determination have already made him a key figure in new Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso`s plans. The midfielder spoke highly of Gattuso, describing their conversations as advice from a father figure and expressing his enthusiasm to play under the former World Cup winner`s guidance.
Italy`s World Cup Aspirations
The Italian national team is determined to qualify for the 2026 World Cup after missing out on the last two tournaments. Gattuso has taken over as head coach following Luciano Spalletti`s departure, which came after a disappointing 3-0 loss to Norway in a crucial qualifier.
As Italy prepares for their next important match against Israel, Tonali emphasized the team`s focus on securing three points and approaching each game with renewed determination. With Tonali`s leadership and skill in midfield, Italy hopes to overcome recent setbacks and successfully navigate their way to the 2026 World Cup.