Newcastle United supporters are in absolute uproar this afternoon after Sandro Tonali posted a provocative social media message following his disastrous performance against his former club and instead of showing remorse, he appeared stubborn and defiant about what happened on the pitch.
The 26-year-old deleted the post minutes later, but not before fans captured screenshots that are now going viral across every Newcastle forum and fan page. The fallout has been devastating for the Italian, who has lost over a million Instagram followers in less than 24 hours as the backlash intensified.
What Happened on the Pitch
Tonali returned to face his former club Newcastle United for the first time since his £100million move to Tottenham Hotspur this summer .
The reception was everything he must have dreaded. Newcastle fans who once welcomed him back with open arms after his 10-month betting ban booed his every touch at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium .
His performance matched the hostility. The midfielder was hooked on 74 minutes after a nightmare display in which he:
· Was turned inside out by Anthony Elanga for Newcastle’s first goal
· Played Yoane Wissa onside for the clincher through lazy defending
· Failed to complete a single key pass
· Was completely overrun and out-fought in midfield
One fan summed it up: “Tonali being hooked after being turned by Elanga for the first and playing Wissa onside for the second. Lovely stuff.”
The Provocative Post No Apology, Just Defiance
According to fans who managed to screenshot the message before it vanished, Tonali’s Instagram story post appeared earlier today. The post which was deleted within minutes contained a provocative response to the backlash he was receiving.
Instead of apologizing for his costly errors that helped hand Newcastle the victory, sources suggest Tonali appeared stubborn and defiant, blaming Newcastle fans for turning on him rather than accepting responsibility for his poor performance.
The Post That Broke Everything
According to screenshots circulating on X and Reddit, Tonali wrote:
“I gave that club everything. I came back from a 10-month ban when most players would have crumbled. I won them a trophy at Wembley. I gave them Champions League nights. And this is how they repay me? Booing me like I’m nothing? Like I didn’t bleed for that badge? You call yourselves fans? You’re a joke. You don’t deserve players who actually care. I’m worth £100million for a reason. What are you worth? Nothing but noise from the stands. Keep booing. Keep hating. I’m living my best life in London while you’re stuck in Newcastle. I made the right choice leaving. And I’d do it again. Every single time. Enjoy your mid-table mediocrity without me. You’ll never replace what I gave you. And you know it. 🤍”
The post appeared on Tonali’s Instagram story earlier today and was deleted within minutes. But Newcastle fans had already captured it .
Fans were quick to react to the defiant tone, with many accusing Tonali of refusing to take responsibility for his role in the defeat and attacking the supporters instead of owning his mistakes.
The Devastating Fallout: Over a Million Followers Gone
The backlash has been swift and brutal. Within hours of the post being shared across social media, Tonali’s Instagram following plummeted, with the midfielder losing over a million followers as Newcastle fans and football supporters alike unfollowed him in droves.
The reaction has been relentless. The club’s official social media admin even joined in, posting a photo of Tonali lying on the deck being stared down by Joe Willock .
One fan wrote: “Woltemade finally gets a goal contribution… and Tonali being subbed off right after, absolutely phenomenal!”
Another added: “I love the fact it was Tonali marking Elanga for the goal!!!”
The midfielder’s mass unfollowing comes as no surprise to those who have followed his social media journey. Tonali has previously admitted: “After my ban, I changed everything about social media. I don’t use it anymore. I feel free, I feel good without it.”
Fans Divided: Some Defend the Midfielder
But not everyone is piling on. Some supporters have rushed to defend Tonali, pointing out that he gave Newcastle some of their best moments in decades.
One fan wrote: “Tonali gave us everything. He came back from a 10-month ban and helped us win the Carabao Cup. Booing him is embarrassing.”
Another added: “He was quality for us. The team was overrun in midfield yesterday it wasn’t just his fault. The blame needs to be shared.”
But the majority of Newcastle fans appear to have turned on the Italian .
The Irony: A Dream Turned Sour
Two years ago, Newcastle fans welcomed Tonali back with sympathy, understanding and forgiveness after his 10-month ban .
He was the symbol of Newcastle’s ambition the glamorous signing fans had waited years to see in black and white . He helped deliver the Carabao Cup and Champions League qualification .
But then he chose Tottenham. For London. For £275,000 a week . And for a club that had finished below Newcastle two years running.
Now, he’s become the villain. And his deleted post and the loss of over a million followers has only poured fuel on the fire.
What Happens Now?
With the relationship between Tonali and Newcastle fans fractured beyond repair, the midfielder faces a battle to win back any respect.
He did issue an emotional farewell to Newcastle fans after his move: “When things were hard for me, you were there. Not for one day did I feel alone. I felt it every time I was at St James’ Park. That’s something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
But after Saturday’s performance and now this deleted post and the mass unfollowing those words ring hollow.
One supporter captured the mood perfectly: “Tonali was only a good player for Newcastle, not a great one. He failed to score a single Premier League goal last season. He looked like a player who wanted out for months. And now he’s lost a million followers because he can’t take the heat?”
The Fans’ Message
As the dust settles, Newcastle fans have made their feelings clear with a simple message: “Should have stayed at Milan. Enjoy London, you’ll never be a Geordie.
Whether Tonali ever recovers his reputation on Tyneside remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the bridge is burned. And he lit the match himself.
