Michael Kayode said Roberto Mancini showed “enormous trust” by naming him in the starting line-up against Turkiye on his senior Italy debut. The defender also said he never supported one particular team in Italy.
Debut against Turkiye
Kayode said he made his senior Italy debut during the latest international break and scored in his first appearance against Turkiye.
He told Sky Sport Italia: “Honestly, I would have been happy just to come on in the final minute to make my international debut.”
Kayode added: “Instead, the coach showed enormous trust in me by giving me a place in the starting line-up against Turkiye. Then things went better than even I could have imagined. It was a match I’ll never forget. Representing your country is the most wonderful thing of all.”
Brentford spell
Kayode has been playing for Brentford since January 2025, when he completed an initial loan move from Fiorentina.
Brentford made the move permanent for €18m the following summer.
Kayode has scored one goal in eight appearances across all competitions with Brentford this season.
Football Italia said Brentford had climbed to 6th in the Premier League table, just three points behind Chelsea in fourth.
Start to the season
Kayode said: “I think it’s a fantastic start.”
He added: “We’ve worked incredibly hard since the beginning of the season to reach this level, and we’re really happy with what we’re doing. We’re not setting any expectations: we’re taking it one game at a time.”
Kayode also said: “I was lucky enough to work with Thomas Frank for six months when I first arrived, and Andrews was part of his staff as the coach responsible for set pieces and routines. So we all knew him really well.”
He added: “When he was promoted to manager, we were all delighted, and it made the transition very straightforward for everyone at the club. Obviously, we weren’t expecting to have such a fantastic league campaign last year. It’s a shame we missed out on Europe by one point. But we’ve begun this season brilliantly; we’re establishing ourselves, and I think we can achieve great things.”
Juventus exit and Serie A view
Kayode said he was 14 when he left Juventus.
He said: “It was tough, of course, really tough. But quitting? No, never.”
Kayode added: “After all, I was 14 when I left: it would have been crazy to quit. But obviously there were sad, difficult moments.”
He said: “My parents have always taught me that, whatever happens, whether it’s something terrible or something wonderful, you should always smile and stay positive in life.”
On Serie A, Kayode said: “I never supported one particular team; I never focused on just one.”
He added: “But Serie A was at an incredible level, especially when I was little. Watching Juve, Milan, Inter and Roma was spectacular.”
Asked which football legends he would have loved to play with, Kayode said: “Ronaldo, the phenomenon, Maradona and Maldini.”
Kayode also said Erling Haaland is probably the best player in the Premier League currently.