Pio Esposito on Italy role model, iconic Balotelli and Inter transfer decision | OneFootball

Francesco Pio Esposito insists he never wanted to leave Inter despite transfer rumours ‘all summer’ and reveals Gianluca Scamacca is one of his role models in the Italy squad.

Esposito is one of the three Italy debutants called up by Gennaro Gattuso for World Cup qualifying games against Estonia and Israel in the September break.

The 20-year-old Inter striker held a press conference at Coverciano on Tuesday, joined by another debutant, Giovanni Fabbian, a Bologna midfielder.

Pio Esposito had spent the previous two seasons on loan at Spezia in Serie B and made his Serie A debut with Inter on Sunday.

“Surely, everything is happening very quickly. I’m happy about the first call-up and my debut with Inter, which was the final step of a journey I started in the academy,” he said.

“Balance is essential because in football, everything can change very quickly.”

Esposito will have to beat competition from Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram to become a regular Inter starter, but that won’t necessarily be an issue.

“I see it as an opportunity to improve by watching them every day and learning something from them because they are among the best strikers right now,” he said.

Pio Esposito never thought about leaving Inter

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 25: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Petar Sucic #8 and Lautaro Martinez #10 during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and CA River Plate at Lumen Field on June 25, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“From Lautaro, I’d like to take the hunger and ruthlessness he shows every day in training. You can see that whenever he needs to score, he always does it at 100% also in training matches. Marcus possesses simplicity in his movements, the ability to take on players, and speed. I’d gladly steal that from him.

“There was transfer talk about me all summer, but there was never any doubt about staying at Inter,” continued the Inter striker.

“I never wanted to go anywhere else because for me it’s a dream come true. The coach wanted to keep me too, and I never had any doubts.”

A former Italy striker, Fabrizio Ravanelli, recently compared Pio Esposito to himself and Mario Mandzukic, an ex-Juventus star.

“I read his words, and I’m proud that he sees a bit of himself in me,” said Esposito.

“The fighting spirit, like Mario Mandzukic, whom he mentioned. I’m that kind of striker who tries to use physicality to hurt opponents.”

Esposito and Fabbian are part of a generation of players who saw Italy take part in just one edition of the World Cup, but what are their memories about the Azzurri?

Pio Esposito: Iconic Balotelli celebration in Italy v. Germany

epa03286781 Italy’s Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring the 2-0 lead during the semi final match of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Germany and Italy in Warsaw, Poland, 28 June 2012. EPA/MARCUS BRANDT UEFA Terms and Conditions apply https://www.epa.eu/downloads/UEFA-EURO2012-TCS.pdf

“It made me suffer as a kid, but this will push us to give even more for this shirt,” said Esposito.

“I remember Balotelli’s goal in Italy’s 2-0 win over Germany at the Euros. My birthday was a few days later, and I was watching the game at a friend’s house. That celebration was iconic.”

Esposito’s brother, Sebatiano, joined from Cagliari this summer, while Salvatore plays for Spezia.

“They tell me to enjoy the experience without overthinking. When we get a chance to meet, we try to talk about football as little as possible. This summer, we [he and Sebastiano] met at the Club World Cup, and we exchanged as much as we could. Football moves fast, which is why balance is needed.”

Lastly, a question about working with Gennaro Gattuso and which Italian players he admires and never thought he could play with.

“A player I’ve always liked is certainly Scamacca,” Esposito replied.

“For me, he’s the ideal striker, a complete forward, and the type of player I’ve always admired.

“The impact has definitely been positive. The coach has shown us all his energy and determination to do well and qualify.”