Brentford full-back Michael Kayode marked his Italy debut with a goal in Bursa, and his agent believes it is only the start.

Speaking to Tuttosport, via TuttoMercatoWeb , Giuseppe Pesce described watching the moment from the stands in Turkiye, and having to keep a lid on it.

“It’s a source of pride to see Michael at this level. I was in Bursa on Monday for his debut and when the goal went in I felt a very strong emotion,” Pesce said.

“Consider that I even had to hold back my celebration, because we Italians were surrounded by police. So I stayed composed, even if inside I was exploding. It was an incredible debut, worthy of a film plot.”

The agent was clear that a first senior cap should be treated as a starting point rather than his ceiling.

“The best comes now. Having got to the point of starting for the national team is only a point of departure to keep doing better. Michael still has big margins for improvement.”

What has struck him most is the temperament, particularly through a difficult final period at Fiorentina.

“He surprised me with the incredible humility that sets him apart and with knowing how to face every situation with a smile. Even when things weren’t going the best way in his last months in Florence, Michael never got down and carried straight on his own path. The facts proved him right with the move to the Premier League, strongly wanted by everyone and arriving at a difficult moment when he was playing little.”

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Kayode’s ‘best is yet to come’ as agent hails Brentford and Italy talent" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Gironi & Calendario metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

Editorial Fact-Check & Verification Note: This briefing was curated, corroborated, and synthesized by the Mondiali 2026 Italia Editorial Desk. Readers following "Kayode’s ‘best is yet to come’ as agent hails Brentford and Italy talent" are encouraged to review the full primary source coverage linked below for complete historical context, direct quotes, and official statements.