Brentford right back Michael Kayode scored on his senior international debut as Italy beat Turkey 4-1 in the Nations League at the Bursa Metropolitan Muncipality Stadium.
The 22-year-old, who has proved himself as one of the Premier League’s best young full backs over the past 18 months, has been long overdue international recognition for his form with the Bees, and was quick to reward manager Roberto Mancini’s faith in him, capping off an excellent team move from the Italians to put them 3-0 up inside 27 minutes.
Alessandro Bastoni and Davide Frattessi had given Italy an early 2-0 lead prior to Kayode’s goal, and whilst a Turkey goal shortly after half time brought a shred of hope for the hosts, a fourth goal from Pio Espoisto shortly after ended any hope of a comeback.
The introduction of Kayode to the starting lineup was one of eight changes made by Mancini on Monday night in response to a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in their Nations League opener, with only Gianluigi Donnurumma, Sandro Tonali and Pio Esposito keeping their spots.
Victory moves Italy up to 3rd in Group A ahead of Friday’s visit to France.
Dream debut
As debuts go, Michael Kayode couldn’t have wished for much more on a night where he no doubt saw a childhood dream of his come true.
The right back has long been knocking on the door of Italy managers for a call up to the senior squad, and on Monday night justified why there have been so many calls for his inclusion.
The Brentford man was brought in in place of Napoli’s Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right back, who endured a difficult game in the defeat to Belgium.
It took just seven minutes for Kayode to show one of the many unique qualities he possesses, with a huge long throw from inside his own half flying over the top of the Turkish backline to find Sebastiano Esposito in behind.
The full back was near flawless in possession throughout, completing 39 of his 42 passes across 90 minutes and two out of two crosses.
Kayode was involved in Italy's second goal of the night, with his well saved shot turned home from close range on the rebound by Frattesi to put the Azzuri 2-0 up.
After a superb start to the game, Kayode’s dream moment then arrived shortly after on the 27-minute mark, as Pio Esposito found him in space and free inside the box having pushed forward up the right wing, where he took one touch to compose himself before slotting home low at the near post for a first international goal on his first international appearance to put his team 3-0 up.
Kayode’s maiden international goal is the fourth senior goal of his career, having already scored this season in Brentford’s opening day 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, and you’d imagine it is without doubt his most special goal to date.
Representing Italy
Kayode has been a consistent performer for Italy at youth level across many age groups.
Most notably, he scored the winning goal in the 2023 European Under 19 Championships final as Italy beat Portugal 1-0.
He has also made 10 appearances for the Italy Under-21 side, which included involvement in the Under 21 European Championships in 2025 as Italy reached the Quarter Finals stage.
Born in Borgomanero, Kayode’s allegiance has always been to Italy at both youth and international level, despite interest from Nigeria.
Kayode holds dual nationality and prior to his senior debut for Italy was eligible to play for the Super Eagles, with both his parents Victoria and Anthony being of Yoruba heritage.
As Kayode starred for Brentford in the Premier League last season, Nigeria expressed a strong interest in calling up Kayode whilst Genaro Gattuso, to the dismay of many, opted against calling the full back up to the senior Italy squad.
However, in a press conference last week celebrating his Italy call up, Kayode said: “It was a very easy decision [to represent Italy], I went through all the youth teams here. Nigeria approached me but I never thought about changing national teams.”
Patience has proved to be a virtue for Kayode, with Gattuso’s controversial decision to not select him in the squad for March’s World Cup playoffs backfiring spectacularly as Italy were beaten on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina, a result which lost Gattuso his job as Italy missed out on a third successive World Cup.
The return of Roberto Mancini in Gattuso’s place has brought a greater trust in young talent as Italy look to rebuild, something that will be music to the ears of Kayode, as he sets about nailing down his spot as the Azzuri’s first choice right back.
Journey to the top
Michael Kayode spent his youth career at Juventus, Gozzano and lastly Fiorentina, for whom he debuted in Serie A.
Kayode made his professional debut at the age of 19 in August 2023, starting in Fiorentina’s 4-1 win away at Genoa in Serie A. Across the 2023/24 season, he made 37 appearances as Fiorentina finished 8th in the Serie A and reached the final of the Conference League, scorinng his first senior goal in a 2-1 win over Lazio in February 2024.
The performances of Kayode in his breakout season saw him win the Best Italian Golden Boy Award for 2024 as the top under-21 Italian talent.
However, Dodo, who missed a large portion of the 2023/2024 season with injury, began the following season as first choice, and half a season in which Kayode endured limited opportunities allowed Brentford to swoop in.
The Bees had initially tried to sign Kayode in the summer, however, despite being unsuccessful initially, bided their team to secure a loan deal with a £14 million option to buy in January 2025.
After an excellent cameo off the bench in a 1-1 draw away at Arsenal, Kayode was handed a starting position by the then head coach Thomas Frank in Brentford’s 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
From then on, Kayode started every single remaining game of the season as Brentford finished 10th in the Premier League, and became a Brentford player permanently as the West Londoners wasted no time in activating his option to buy in June 2025.
Despite the departure of Thomas Frank, Kayode’s form continued to be excellent under new head coach Keith Andrews the following season, becoming one of Brentford’s most important players and a huge fan favourite.
Kayode’s season included a man of the match performance in a 3-2 win over reigning champions Liverpool in October 2025, and a first Premier League goal in a 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in March 2026.
Despite interest from top clubs, Kayode honoured Brentford’s faith in him by signing a new six-year contract until 2032 and began the new season with the third goal in Brentford’s 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
An Italy call up has been long overdue for such an impressive young player, and a maiden international goal on debut promises to be just one of many special memories in what could be a memorable season, as Brentford currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, chasing a first ever qualification for European football…
