Francesco Pio Esposito expressed his desire to “frequently share the pitch” with brother Sebastiano while representing Italy, following their joint appearance against Turkiye on Monday.
Italy secured a 4-1 victory in the Nations League, marking Roberto Mancini’s first win upon his return as coach.
In the match, Francesco Pio Esposito contributed with a goal and an assist, while Sebastiano Esposito led the team with three shots on target.
The brothers are the fourth sibling pair to play together in the same match for Italy, following in the footsteps of notable pairs like Filippo and Simone Inzaghi, Aldo and Luigi Cevenini, and Giuseppe and Felice Milano.
At just 21 years and 92 days old, Francesco Pio Esposito has now surpassed five goals with the Azzurri, making him one of the youngest to do so; only Giuseppe Meazza and Gianni Rivera achieved this milestone at a younger age.
“Playing alongside Seba was fantastic. Since it was his debut, I aimed to keep his emotions in check. We had a great time, and I’m thrilled for him,” Francesco Pio Esposito shared with Vivo Azzurro.
“I hope we can play together more often. The energy and excitement were palpable, which is essential when donning this jersey,” he added.
It will never be just football #TURITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/hmQKOy7Qg0
— Italy (@Azzurri_En) September 28, 2026
Sebastiano Esposito remarked, “Mancini encouraged us to enjoy the moment… It’s challenging, given the emotions involved.”
“Playing for the Azzurri alongside your brother complicates things further. Mancini provided guidance on our positioning and movement. It was truly special.”
This match marked Italy’s first away win by a margin of three goals or more since November 2019 (3-0 against Bosnia-Herzegovina). It’s also a significant comeback for the Azzurri under Mancini after a 1,198-day wait since their last win (3-2 against the Netherlands in June 2023).
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer fans, as it highlights the promising talent of the Esposito brothers and builds excitement for Italy’s future. Their synergy on the field could breathe new life into the Azzurri, bringing hope for upcoming competitions.
Source: www.soccernews.com
