Francesco Pio Esposito, 20, remains grounded after scoring his debut goal for Italy`s senior team. “Everything happened quickly, but this needs to be a starting point. I don`t like to be complacent,” he stated.
Italy started strong against Estonia, with Moise Kean scoring early before being substituted due to an ankle injury. Mateo Retegui had a mixed performance, missing a penalty but later scoring from Riccardo Orsolini`s assist.
Esposito made history with his first senior Italy goal, though Estonia managed to score late when Gianluigi Donnarumma mishandled a cross.
The young striker expressed gratitude to his teammates and coach for their warm welcome. “The team`s harmony makes it easier for everyone to perform well,” Esposito told reporters.
Discussing his partnership with Retegui, Esposito emphasized the importance of teamwork: “With two forwards, it`s crucial to set aside ego and play for each other. The team`s success matters more than individual goals.”
Reflecting on his recent achievements, including his first Serie A goal for Inter, Esposito said, “I`m very emotional. These moments are hard to fully grasp immediately. It`s all happened so fast, but this must be just the beginning. I`m self-critical and always looking to improve.”
Looking ahead, Italy aims to secure a World Cup qualification play-off spot. Esposito concluded, “We need to focus on our upcoming matches and perform at our best. That`s all we can do now.”