Michael Kayode has been called up by Italy Under-21s after his recent Brentford form, giving the right-back international recognition ahead of qualifiers against North Macedonia and Sweden.
Michael Kayode has received a call-up to the Italy Under-21 squad, handing Brentford’s young full-back another significant marker of his progress in west London. The 20-year-old has been drafted in by Silvio Baldini after missing out on Gennaro Gattuso’s senior Italy squad for this month’s World Cup play-offs, and joined the Under-21 group in Tirrenia on Tuesday.
For Brentford, it is a timely reward for a player whose profile has continued to grow over recent weeks. Kayode scored his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Wolves on 16 March, heading the Bees in front at the Gtech Community Stadium, and he was then involved again in the 0-0 draw away to Leeds United before the international break.
The call-up also carries extra interest because Kayode was not included in Baldini’s original 24-man squad announced by the Italian federation on 20 March. That initial list set out Italy Under-21’s two March qualifiers, at home to North Macedonia on Thursday 26 March and away to Sweden on Tuesday 31 March, but Kayode’s name was absent. His inclusion is now a later addition, potentially a response to his omission from the senior setup rather than part of the original selection.
There is little doubt, however, that Kayode has built a credible case. Brentford made his move from Fiorentina permanent in May 2025, handing him a five-year contract with the option of an extra 12 months after what the club described as an impressive first spell in west London.
Phil Giles said at the time that it had been an easy decision to complete the transfer, while Brentford highlighted both his performances and the energy he had brought to the group. Since then, Kayode has continued to develop into a regular first-team option and a player the club clearly see as part of their longer-term future.
From Italy’s perspective, the timing matters too. The Under-21s are second in Group E on 15 points, three behind leaders Poland, with four qualifiers left to play. Baldini’s side know these two March fixtures are important in the race for direct qualification to the 2027 European Championship finals in Albania and Serbia.
For Kayode, then, this is more than a routine youth selection. It is another sign that his progress at Brentford is being noticed, even if his next international step will come with the Under-21s rather than the senior side for now.