Michael Kayode earned his first senior call-up with the Italian team in September 2026.
From Gozzano, Fiorentina, Brentford, and now to the Italian team!
What an exciting milestone for Michael Kayode! Kayode received his first call-up to the Italian National team in September 2026. It’s certainly a special moment for the European champion who won the Italy Under-19s title in 2023.
Michael Kayode isn’t a goalkeeper, yet he’s become a Premier League sensation. Kayode has made waves thanks to his remarkable throw-ins. His throw-ins reportedly travel over 65 metres and have become a fan favorite. The long throw has emerged as an innovative tactical tool that puts opposing defenders under immense pressure, and it’s now a valuable part of Roberto Mancini’s tactical approach.
During the press conference on Tuesday, 22 September 2026, Kayode shared: “I woke up one day and discovered I had a long throw. We didn’t use it much at Fiorentina, but in England there’s even a specialist coach. We started working on routines and tactics, and now everyone is using long throws.”
EUROPEAN CHAMPION UNDER BOLLINI
Born in 2004, Michael has grown up quickly. At just 22, he is already dad to little Amélie. “I can’t wait to get back to my little girl. Being a father at my age is an incredible feeling. I don’t think there is any greater joy.” He has a deep attachment to the Azzurri shirt and has represented Italy throughout the youth ranks. “Nigeria approached me, but it is an honour for anyone to play for Italy.”
At Coverciano, he has also been reunited with Alberto Bollini, now Mancini’s assistant. Bollini led Italy’s Under-19s to the Euros in 2023, with Michael scoring in the final against Portugal. “Seeing the coach here again is fantastic. I owe him so much. The feeling of winning that European Championship is unforgettable. I still look back at the photos and videos today.”
Now that he has received his first senior call-up, Kayode dreams of one day lifting a trophy with Italy. “Before the game against Chelsea, I didn’t know I had been called up. I found out on my phone and it was an incredible feeling. There are a lot of young players in this Italy squad, which is good for the team. I want to give my all for the group. Mancini spoke to me and explained what he wants from me tactically. There is always more to learn, and having a captain of Donnarumma’s calibre is fantastic.”
Missing out on the World Cup remains an open wound, but Kayode’s smile offers plenty of reason for optimism. “It hurts not to have qualified for the World Cup, but whenever something bad happens, I always try to see it as a new beginning. I would tell the fans not to worry. We are here to work and start a new cycle.”
Three full-backs from three different generations feature prominently in Michael’s past, present and future. “I have always looked up to Maldini, while Di Lorenzo helps me a great deal here and is a real source of inspiration. Favasuli sent me a message after the call-up. We keep in touch and I am pleased to see his progress. I think he is a fantastic player and person.”
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FROM SERIE D TO THE PREMIER LEAGUE
Focusing solely on his throw-ins would be doing Kayode a disservice. More than his arms, it is his legs that have played a fundamental role in his rise. His tireless runs down the flank have seen him reach a top speed of 33 km/h. Born in Borgomanero, in the province of Novara, to parents of Nigerian origin, he came through the Juventus academy before moving back closer to home at 16 to play for Gozzano in Serie D. “Moving from Juventus to Gozzano was obviously a huge change, but that experience gave me the strength to reach this level. My advice to young players is not to lose heart if they find themselves dropping down the divisions, because they can still develop a great deal.”
Three years ago, he broke into top-level football with Fiorentina, gaining experience in Serie A and Europe. Brentford then came calling in January 2025, and he has since taken centre stage in the Premier League. “Everything I experienced in Florence was fantastic. I will always have Fiorentina to thank for where I am today. Then this opportunity came along, and I think anyone would want to play in the Premier League. I have improved so many aspects of my game in England, but rather than focusing on the differences between Serie A and the Premier League, I think the most important thing for a young player is to get minutes and play regularly.”
👉🇮🇹 Updated Italian Squad List
Monday, 21 September 2026
Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Massimo Pessina (Bologna), Guglielmo Vicario (Juventus).
Defenders: Honest Ahanor (Crystal Palace), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Daniele Ghilardi (Roma), Michael Kayode (Brentford), Eddy Kouadio (Monza), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Matteo Ruggeri (Aston Villa), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta).
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Issa Doumbia (Sporting CP), Nicolò Fagioli (Fiorentina), Davide Frattesi (Lazio), Rolando Mandragora (Torino), Samuele Ricci (Como), Alessandro Romano (Cagliari), Sandro Tonali (Tottenham).
Forwards: Nicolò Cambiaghi (Bologna), Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Sebastiano Esposito (Sassuolo), Samuele Inacio (Borussia Dortmund), Moise Kean (Como), Daniel Maldini (Cagliari), Giacomo Raspadori (Atalanta), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Antonio Vergara (Napoli), Nicolò Zaniolo (Udinese), Mohamed Alì Zoma (Norimberga).
