From Honest Ahanor to Issa Doumbia, Mohamed Ali Zoma and Samuele Inacio, a new generation of players with dual nationality is becoming part of Italy’s national team as Roberto Mancini pushes for a younger and more diverse squad.
Roberto Mancini’s Italy is becoming younger and more diverse, increasingly resembling national teams in sports such as volleyball and athletics, where athletes from different backgrounds have long represented the country.
Italy is still some way behind France, England and Germany, which have incorporated players from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds into their national teams for years. But the failure to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup has accelerated a process of renewal that began under Silvio Baldini last June and has continued with Mancini.
Mancini has never been afraid to give opportunities to young players. He called up Nicolo Zaniolo before he had played a single minute in Serie A and handed a senior debut to 16-year-old Simone Pafundi.
Now, as Italy begins a new Nations League campaign, a group of players with dual nationality are at the centre of that rebuilding process. Their backgrounds are varied, but they share a commitment to representing Italy.
Stories of immigration and belonging
Honest Ahanor is one of the most prominent examples. Born in Aversa, in southern Italy, to Nigerian parents, he moved to Genoa at a young age and spent time in a reception centre for migrants.
He grew up speaking with a Ligurian accent and developed a love for pesto, but had to wait until he turned 18 to obtain Italian citizenship and become eligible to play for the national team.
Ahanor, who is under 21, will become tied to Italy after making four appearances for the senior side. For now, he has one cap, earned against Greece.
Italy is also looking to secure the international futures of Issa Doumbia and Mohamed Ali Zoma, both born in 2003 and both making their senior debuts.
Doumbia was born in Treviglio to Ivorian parents and moved from Venezia to Sporting Lisbon during the summer for €26 million. Zoma, from Merate, is an Ivorian-Italian striker who has emerged with Nuremberg in Germany’s second division under coach Miroslav Klose.
The two are close friends and played together from youth football through to the Albinoleffe first team.
Because both are over 21, one minute in a competitive international appearance would be enough to make their choice of Italy definitive under the relevant eligibility rules. But the regulations are ultimately secondary. For these players, the decision to represent Italy is presented as a matter of conviction.
Michael Kayode is another example. Born in Borgomanero to Nigerian parents, he was released by Juventus before being developed by Fiorentina and went on to become a European Under-19 champion. He is now an important player for Brentford in the Premier League.
Eddy Kouadio’s call-up is more unexpected. Born in Prato to Ivorian parents, he plays for Monza while his registration rights remain with Fiorentina.
At the centre of this emerging group is Moise Kean. Born in Vercelli to Ivorian parents, the 26-year-old is already an established member of the national team, with 26 appearances and 13 goals.
The Coverciano initiation
For the newcomers, joining Italy also comes with a more traditional rite of passage.
After dinner at the national team’s Coverciano training centre, debutants are expected to sing a song in front of their teammates.
Samuele Inacio, who plays for Borussia Dortmund and is the son of former striker Inacio Pià, chose a Brazilian song. His musical choice may have reflected his family background, but his international future is firmly tied to Italy.
Alessandro Romano, a Cagliari midfielder who came through Switzerland’s youth teams before choosing Italy, has also completed the initiation.
There is reportedly one problem: he may not be much of a singer.
His football, however, could soon speak for itself. Romano is among the candidates to make his senior debut against Belgium.
For Mancini, these players represent more than a collection of new faces. They are part of a broader attempt to rebuild Italy’s national team and create a squad that increasingly reflects the society from which it emerges.
Be First to Comment