Kayode: A poster boy for Italy's new era

As a kid, Michael Kayode dreamed of becoming a sprinter like his idol, Usain Bolt.

These days, Kayode is still sprinting — albeit up and down the flanks of football fields instead of running tracks. And suddenly, the 22-year-old right-back is the face of a multiethnic revitalization of Italy's struggling national team.

Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Kayode scored one goal and set up another in his debut for the Azzurri in Turkiye on Sept 28. He started again in a 1-1 draw with France in Paris on Friday.

Of the current Italy squad, five other players — Honest Ahanor, Issa Doumbia, Mohamed Ali Zoma, Moise Kean, Eddy Kouadio — are also of African descent.

Roberto Mancini, who was re-hired as coach after four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, has been looking for new faces to inject energy into his team.

"It hurts to have not qualified for the World Cup, but whenever something bad happens, I always try to see it as a new beginning," Kayode said. "We're here to work hard and open a new cycle."