Brentford right-back Michael Kayode is facing renewed questions over his international future after being overlooked for Italy’s recent senior friendlies, despite enjoying a standout season in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old defender, born in Borgomanero, Italy, to Nigerian parents, has long been regarded as one of the brightest dual-national prospects in European football. Having progressed through Italy’s youth ranks, Kayode repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to the Azzurri, famously stating in an interview with Tuttosport in May 2026: “I will always give priority to Italy: even at youth level, I grew up wearing the Azzurri shirt.”
Premier League Breakthrough
Kayode’s stock rose significantly during the 2025/26 campaign with Brentford. The dynamic full-back made 37 appearances across all competitions, accumulating more than 3,200 minutes of action while contributing a goal and an assist.
His energetic displays, powerful overlapping runs, long-throw ability, and defensive reliability earned him a nomination for Brentford’s Young Player of the Season award and established him as one of the Premier League’s most promising young defenders.
However, despite his impressive club form, Kayode failed to secure a place in Italy’s senior squad for June’s international friendlies against Luxembourg and Greece.
Surprise Omission Raises Questions
The decision has sparked widespread debate, particularly because interim Italy manager Silvio Baldini is familiar with Kayode from the national youth setup.
Baldini took charge of the senior team following Italy’s disappointing failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Yet even under a coach who knows his qualities firsthand, Kayode was left out of the squad.
The omission follows an earlier disappointment when he missed out on senior selection under former coach Gennaro Gattuso, eventually receiving only a late call-up to the Italy U21 team.
For many observers, the latest snub has raised concerns about where Kayode truly stands in Italy’s long-term plans.
Could Nigeria Make Another Move?
The situation has inevitably reignited discussions in Nigeria.
With the Super Eagles continuing their search for quality defensive options, many fans and analysts believe Kayode could immediately strengthen the national team’s right-back position. Nigeria’s head coach Eric Chelle has been actively monitoring dual-national talents across Europe, and Kayode’s current uncertainty may present a fresh opportunity.
While a switch of international allegiance remains possible, the process would require FIFA approval and could be complicated by Kayode’s previous appearances for Italy’s youth teams, as well as his public declarations of loyalty to the Italian national setup.
International Future in Limbo
Despite flourishing at club level, Kayode now finds himself in an unusual position: highly regarded in the Premier League but still waiting for a breakthrough at the senior international level.
With Baldini’s interim tenure producing two clean-sheet victories and speculation continuing over Italy’s next permanent manager, the defender’s international future remains uncertain.
Neither Italy nor Nigeria can be considered out of the picture, but the coming months could prove decisive. As the summer transfer window unfolds and international football returns later in the year, all eyes will be on Kayode to see whether his future lies with the nation he chose or the nation that still hopes to welcome him.
