Michael Kayode: Italy Call-Up Was Simple Choice Despite Nigeria's Approach

Brentford's versatile defender, Michael Kayode, has confirmed his unwavering commitment to representing Italy on the international stage, revealing that he easily dismissed overtures from Nigeria. The 22-year-old, born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents, holds dual eligibility to play for either nation at senior level. However, Kayode, who has extensively featured for Italy's youth teams, recently earned his inaugural call-up to the senior Azzurri squad.

His journey with the Italian national setup has been notable, marked by his decisive winning goal in the European Under-19 Championship final against Portugal, a victory that secured Italy's first-ever title in the competition. Ahead of Italy's upcoming international fixtures, Kayode addressed the discussions with the Nigeria Football Federation, asserting that his decision to remain with Italy was unequivocal.

"It was a very easy decision. I went through all the youth teams here. Nigeria approached me, but I never thought about changing national teams," he stated, as reported by Football Italia. He further expressed his pride, adding, "I think Italy have always been a great national team, and playing here is an honour." Recalling the moment he learned of his senior call-up, Kayode shared, "I didn’t know about the Italy call-up before the game [against Chelsea]; I found out at the final whistle, on my phone. It was an incredible emotion, especially after such a big win."

In his club career, Kayode initially joined Brentford on a €500,000 loan agreement from Fiorentina, with an option for a permanent transfer in January 2025. The English Premier League club subsequently made his move permanent for €17.5 million at the conclusion of the season. To date, he has made 63 appearances for Brentford, contributing two goals and three assists.