Brentford defender Michael Kayode has revealed that his decision to represent Italy at senior international level was straightforward despite an approach from Nigeria.
The 22-year-old received his first call-up to the senior Italian national team after impressing for Brentford in the Premier League.
Kayode, who was born in Italy to Nigerian parents, said Nigeria had contacted him over a possible switch of international allegiance but insisted that he never seriously considered leaving Italy.
“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,” Kayode said during his first Italy press conference.
The defender has represented Italy at several youth levels, with his connection to the country strengthened by his involvement in the team that won the European Under-19 Championship.
Kayode scored the winning goal against Portugal in the final as Italy claimed the title, a moment he described as particularly significant in his international career.
He said his progression through Italy’s youth teams played a major role in his decision to continue representing the country at senior level.
“I think Italy have always been a great national team, and playing here is an honour,” he said.
His football development has also been rooted in Italy. Kayode came through the Juventus academy before joining Gozzano in the Italian fourth division at the age of 16.
He later moved to Fiorentina, where he established himself before securing a move to Brentford in England.
Reflecting on his time at Fiorentina, Kayode described the club and the city of Florence as an important part of his development as a footballer.
“I spent a lot of time in Florence, and what I experienced there was fantastic. I owe Fiorentina a lot; in a way, it’s where I was born,” he said.
Kayode has also reunited with members of Italy’s youth setup following his senior call-up, including Alberto Bollini, who coached him during Italy’s successful Under-19 European Championship campaign.
The defender said his relationship with Bollini and other members of the Italian setup made his promotion to the senior team even more significant.
“I owe Alberto a lot. Winning the European Championship was unforgettable,” Kayode said.
Although Nigeria made an approach, Kayode reiterated that he never considered changing his international allegiance, pointing to his long-standing relationship with Italy and the country’s role in his development.
“I never thought about changing national teams,” he added.
His first senior Italy call-up therefore marks another step in a journey that began with the country’s youth teams and took him from the Juventus academy and Italian lower leagues to Fiorentina, Brentford and now the senior Azzurri squad.
