Italy manager Mancini hands 24-year-old first-time invitation

The Italian Football Federation has taken the lead in the race for securing the international allegiance of Napoli-owned midfielder Michael Folorunsho.

Born in Rome, Italy, to parents of Nigerian descent, Folorunsho is eligible to play for Gli Azzurri and the Super Eagles. Interestingly, the 24-year-old has never featured in any of the two countries’ youth teams.

Folorunsho has, however, enjoyed an excellent start to the 2022-2023 Serie B season while on loan at Bari.

The former Reggina signing has scored five goals and registered an assist in 16 league games for the White and Reds. It is a contribution that has lifted Bari to third on the Serie B table, with a promotion playoff ticket within reach.

Italy national team manager Roberto Mancini has been impressed with the quality of Folorunsho and has invited the midfielder to their European Championship camp.

The internship is scheduled from Tuesday 20 to Wednesday 21 December 2022 and will take place at the Coverciano technical center.

The training camp is aimed at ‘facilitating the transition from the National Youth Teams to the Senior National Team and expanding the base of selectable players in view of the next engagements’.

Italy will face England and Malta in March 2023, in their first two qualifying matches for the 2024 European Championship.

Nigeria will miss out on Folorunsho should he make a number of competitive appearances for Italy.