Michael Kayode addressed the media on Italy's second day of preparation at Coverciano, ahead of Nations League fixtures against Belgium, France and Turkey, home and away. Born in Borgomanero to Nigerian parents, the Brentford right-back received his first senior call-up after starring in a win over Chelsea, and said he had deliberately avoided thinking about it in advance.
He remarked, "I only thought about playing well on the pitch and I think I did that; the call-up would only have been a consequence. I think about improving myself."
Kayode revealed the Nigerian federation had approached him, but that representing Italy, for whom he came through every youth level and won the 2023 European Under-19 Championship, was never in doubt.
"I did the whole pathway with Italy's youth teams. Nigeria came looking for me, but for anyone, playing for Italy is an honour."
He also confirmed Serie A interest over the summer, including from Inter, but said leaving Brentford was never something he considered: "Hearing about interest is always nice, but I already had it in mind to continue on this path with them. So I never really thought about a return to Serie A last summer, and renewing with Brentford was always my idea."
Asked about his rise from Juventus's academy to Serie D side Gozzano and back up through Fiorentina, he offered advice to young players facing a similar setback.
"That gave me the strength to reach this level. At Gozzano I developed enormously; a piece of advice I can give to young players is not to despair, and to accept dropping down even to lower divisions. I had many mentors, starting with the first one, Antonio Soda, and I'm very grateful to him, as I am to my family."
Kayode said his long throw-ins, a growing part of his game, are now the product of specialist coaching he did not receive in Italy.
"We have a coach dedicated to this. I already had this quality back in Florence but it wasn't used much, then once I got to England I started doing this specific work, and it's used a lot there. I came from Serie A, a different league, but there I managed to improve so many things."
On leaving Fiorentina, where he made his senior breakthrough before joining Brentford in January 2025, he said he felt only gratitude.
"I feel pride. I spent a long time in Florence, everything I experienced there was wonderful. I always had the chance to play, I owe Florence so much and if I'm here it's thanks to Fiorentina too. Being here and all together is beautiful for everyone."
He named Paolo Maldini as the full-back he has always admired, and pointed to Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo as a more immediate influence.
"There are so many full-backs I look up to, but one I've always watched with interest is Maldini. He was an exception in that role. I've always talked with Di Lorenzo, even when I played against him at Fiorentina. He is a source of inspiration, and the manager talks to me and tells me to give everything for the group, which does me good."
Reunited with Under-21 title-winning coach Paolo Bollini within the senior set-up, Kayode said the connection remains strong, and he also keeps in touch with a number of his former Fiorentina team-mates, singling out Costantino Favasuli, now at Napoli.
"I owe so much to Mister Bollini, the emotion of winning a European Championship is unforgettable. He's fantastic, he thought I should play as an advanced winger. Finding him here again is fantastic, being able to talk to him is really important. If I have to name one former team-mate, I'd say Favasuli, we're in touch and I'm happy about how he's progressing. I think he's a fantastic player and person."
Asked about missing this summer's World Cup with Italy, he struck a forward-looking tone: "Missing the World Cup hurts, but when something bad happens it can be a turning point. I tell the fans to stay calm, we're here to work and for a new cycle."
He also compared the two leagues he has played in, resisting the idea that one offers clearly better development than the other.
"Having minutes and time to play is an advantage for everyone, you always try to do it in the best way. There are differences with the Premier League, they're two different types of football. In the Premier League there are transitions and running, the ball moves faster, in Italy there's more tactics. Both leagues have been fundamental to my growth. I think it's subjective. What matters is getting minutes and playing, whether in Serie A or the Premier League."
He credited Mancini's tactical detail and the presence of Gianluigi Donnarumma as captain with easing his integration into the senior squad, and confirmed the Italians playing in the Premier League stay in regular contact, with certain team-mates closer than others.
"Having Mancini has been fundamental for me, he's talked to me and explained the tactical work he wants. There's always something to learn. And then having a captain of Donnarumma's calibre is fantastic, even just being with him and talking to him. We always find the chance to meet up, workloads permitting. When there's time to get together we do it, especially with Calafiori, Tonali and Bove. With the Manchester lads it's a bit more complicated."