Brentford Defender Kayode Dreams of Playing for Italy but Proud of Nigerian Roots

Brentford right-back Michael Kayode has revealed that his dream is to play for Italy’s senior national team, although he remains proud of his Nigerian background.

Kayode was born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents, Victoria and Anthony. Because of his background, the young defender is eligible to represent both Italy and Nigeria at international level.

The 21-year-old has already played for Italy’s youth teams, featuring for the country at Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 levels. His performances have made him one of the young players being closely watched by both countries.

Despite Nigeria’s interest, Kayode has admitted that his main ambition is to represent the Italian national team.

“For every player, it is a dream to be in the national team, especially now because of the World Cup qualifiers. I really hope we qualify,” Kayode said.

The Brentford defender explained that his focus right now is to perform well for his club, as that will improve his chances of receiving a senior call-up.

“It is important to do very well at your club because if you don’t do well there, you will not get called up. So my focus is on Brentford, and if I get the opportunity with Italy, that will be great,” he added.

Kayode, however, said he appreciates the support he receives from Nigerians despite his wish to play for Italy.

“I’m happy that the Nigerian people are happy for me. The opportunity to be able to play for both countries is amazing,” he said.

The young defender made a name for himself in Italy’s youth setup when he scored the winning goal in the final of the 2023 European Under-19 Championship.

With his career continuing to grow at Brentford, Kayode will hope that strong performances in the Premier League can help him achieve his dream of representing Italy at senior level.