Atalanta Star Honest Ahanor Reacts to Maiden Italy U21 National Team Call-Up
Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor has publicly expressed his emotions after receiving his first-ever call-up to the Italian Under-21 national team, a significant development that could effectively conclude Nigeria's longstanding efforts to secure his services for the Super Eagles. The young defender, born in Italy to Nigerian parents, recently acquired Italian citizenship upon turning 18 in February, making him eligible for selection by the Italian football federation.
Citizenship Acquisition Paves Way for Italian International Career
Ahanor's path to representing Italy became possible only after he obtained Italian citizenship earlier this year. Prior to February, despite being born in Italy, he was ineligible for the senior national team due to specific Italian regulations concerning second-generation citizenship. The Italian football authorities moved swiftly to integrate one of Europe's most promising defensive talents into their youth setup, demonstrating their serious intent to secure his international future amid substantial interest from Nigerian football officials.
The Atalanta defender earned his inaugural call-up to the Azzurri U21 squad for their upcoming international friendlies against North Macedonia and Sweden. This selection represents a crucial milestone in his developing career and signals a potential long-term commitment to representing Italy at the international level.
Ahanor's Emotional Response to National Team Selection
In his first comments since the call-up announcement, Ahanor conveyed profound sentiment about the opportunity to wear the Italian jersey. "Wearing such an important jersey as Italy's is indescribable, regardless of how many times you've worn it or the opportunities you've had in the past," he told the Italian Football Federation (FIGC). "Being able to represent your country, the place you live in, and that's in your blood, is a powerful feeling that makes all the sacrifices worthwhile."
The defender emphasized that the level of the national team invitation held no particular significance for him, expressing readiness to contribute at any age category. "Regardless of whether it's the senior national team or an under-17 team, Italy is always Italy. Obviously, that could be an additional source of satisfaction, but my focus is only on these two matches and on thinking about doing well here," Ahanor added, demonstrating his commitment to immediate performance over long-term aspirations.
Additional Nigeria-Eligible Player Faces Italian National Team Snub
Ahanor was not the only player with Nigerian eligibility who received attention from Italian selectors this month. Michael Kayode, another promising talent, was also invited to Silvio Baldini's U21 side. However, in a contrasting development, senior national team head coach Gennaro Gattuso notably excluded Kayode from his playoff squad despite the player's recent impressive performances for Brentford.
The 22-year-old right-back's omission has raised questions about Gattuso's selection methodology ahead of crucial playoff matches. Within Nigerian football circles, this snub suggests Kayode may not be highly valued within the Italian setup, potentially influencing his decision regarding international allegiance. The Nigeria Football Federation maintains active interest in convincing Kayode to represent the Super Eagles, and his latest exclusion from the senior Italian team could strengthen their persuasive efforts.
Legendary Goalkeeper Advocates for Kayode's Inclusion
Italian football legend Gianluigi Buffon previously communicated directly with Gattuso, advocating for Kayode's inclusion in the national team based solely on performance merits. The iconic goalkeeper emphasized to his former international teammate that national team selection should prioritize players demonstrating excellent form, irrespective of their age or experience level. This endorsement from one of Italy's most respected football figures highlights the quality Kayode brings to the pitch and the ongoing debate surrounding his national team prospects.
As Ahanor prepares for his first international appearances with Italy's youth setup, Nigerian football authorities face the reality that one of their most sought-after defensive prospects appears increasingly committed to representing the country of his birth. The coming months will reveal whether Kayode follows a similar path or considers the persistent overtures from Nigeria's football federation.
