Italy starlet Kayode ‘motivated’ by latest 2024 award | OneFootball

Italy and Fiorentina talent Michael Kayode received a motivation boost on Monday when he won the Italian Golden Boy Award for 2024: ‘Believe in your dreams and work hard because everything is possible.’

The 20-year-old made his senior debut with Fiorentina under Vincenzo Italiano last season, collecting 37 appearances across all competitions and scoring one goal.

Only a few months earlier, he had scored an even more meaningful goal for Italy U19 in the Euro U19 Final against Portugal, allowing the Azzurri to win the trophy for the first time.

Dodo’s impressive performances at the Stadio Franchi this season pushed Kayode to the bench, as the Italian has only played 472 minutes of football across 11 appearances.

Fiorentina have had a stunning start to the season. Although a recent loss to Bologna ended their eight-game winning streak in Serie A, they remain in the top four with 31 points in 15 games.

Italy starlet ‘motivated’ by latest 2024 award

Fiorentina’s Italian coach Vincenzo Italiano (L) instructs his players during the Italian Super Cup semi final football match between Napoli and Fiorentina at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh, on January 18, 2024. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

“The real step is to be consistent,” the versatile defender told Tuttosport (via LabaroViola).

“Difficult moments can come, but one must be able to face them. Believe in your dreams and work hard because everything is possible.

“This award gives me even more motivation to improve. My target is to give my all for Fiorentina now,” he continued.

Kayode will likely be part of the Italy U21 squad playing in next summer’s Euros.

“We are aware of our strengths, but we go game by game,” said the 20-year-old.

“We don’t have an easy group, and clearly, we’ll try to give our best.”

The Azzurrini have been drawn in Group A alongside Spain, Romania and host country Slovakia.

Carmine Nunziata’s men will surely have a tough start but remain among the favourites as suggested by the list of free bets offers by Nostrabet.

Kayode extended his Fiorentina contract until 2028 last year. His new agreement came with an option for the club to extend the player’s contract by one more season.

Kayode’s performances under Italiano in 2023-24 were so impressive that European giants Inter and Arsenal had set their sights on the Italian talent.

Both sides reportedly scouted the player several times in the past, while Liverpool were linked with the 20-year-old more recently.

Andrea Ritorni, the agent of the promising Italian defender, said last year: “His level of focus is out of the ordinary. He isolates himself and focuses on the game some seven or eight hours before kick-off.

“He learns quickly and he already plays as a veteran, in a simple way. He has a contract until 2028, so Fiorentina have tied him down.”