Sandro Tonali chant: Lyrics, tune and story behind Italian midfielder’s Newcastle anthem

When Newcastle United signed Sandro Tonali from AC Milan in the summer of 2023, the move felt like a statement.

Here was a player steeped in Italian tradition, a deep-lying playmaker with old-school grit and effortless class, arriving to anchor a team on the rise.

It did not take long for supporters to give him the ultimate English welcome: a chant all his own.

The Sandro Tonali chant, with its catchy rhythm and tongue-in-cheek humour, quickly echoed around St. James' Park, becoming a signature sound of Newcastle's new era.

Sandro Tonali chant lyrics and tune

Sung to the lively tune of ‘La Bamba', Tonali's chant reflects the joy he brings to the Magpies' midfield and the fans' warm embrace of him as one of their own.

The Italian cliches in the chant showcase pride and a connection to the club's hardworking identity. Even in its rougher form, the song captures the community's cheeky, passionate, and fiercely loyal spirit.

At St James' Park, the chant ignites smiles, invites clapping, and soon has the whole stand singing along.

Tonali's composed style on the pitch contrasts beautifully with the chant's live bounce, a reminder that even the calmest midfielder can inspire chaos in the stands.

Below are the lyrics of the Sandro Tonali chant:

Sandro Tonali, Sandro Tonali

He drinks Moretti and eats spaghetti

He hates f**** Sunderland

Origin of Sandro Tonali chant

The chant originated in the pubs around St James' Park shortly after Tonali's first pre-season appearances. Set to the melody of ‘La Bamba', the tune's upbeat tempo made it perfect for crowds.

Its humorous references to Moretti and spaghetti nod affectionately to Tonali's Italian roots, while a jab at Sunderland injects the fierce Tyne-Wear rivalry that underpins Newcastle's fan culture.

Supporters began singing it en masse during August 2023 home fixtures, and social media clips helped it spread quickly. Within a month, it became the soundtrack of Newcastle European nights and away-day trains across England.

Newcastle supporters singing Sandro Tonali chant

FGG says

Tonali's chant illustrates how quickly football folklore can form. Within weeks, Newcastle fans had created a football anthem that blends humour, identity, and admiration for Tonali, a player whose quiet authority speaks volumes.

It may never reach the level of polished grandeur of older terrace classics, but it captures something more authentic: the instant bond between a city and a footballer who seems to understand its heartbeat.