Rafael Leao and Bruno Guimaraes reacted on social media to Sandro Tonali’s performance against France on Friday night.
Tonali made his first international appearance in a year in Italy’s 3-1 win over France on Friday and provided a lovely assist for Federico Dimarco’s equaliser in the first half.
The Newcastle star has recently returned from a 10-month ban for illegal betting and immediately proved his worth for the national team.
“It’s always special to wear these colours, even more with this group. Let’s go on like this,” Tonali wrote on Instagram after Italy’s win in Paris.
More than 250,000 people liked the post, and two comments were significant as they came from two of Tonali’s best friends in football.
“Real crack,” wrote Rafael Leao, a former Tonali teammate at Milan.
Newcastle midfielder Guimaraes replied with the Italian phrase ‘Te voglio bene frate,’ which means ‘I love you, brother.’
Tonali spoke highly of Guimaraes after the end of his betting ban in August, saying that the Brazilian midfielder supported him on and off the pitch after a 10-month suspension was confirmed last year.
