Michael Kayode is the face of a multiethnic revitalization of Italy’s struggling national team

ROME (AP) — As a kid, Michael Kayode dreamed of becoming a sprinter like his idol, Usain Bolt.

These days, Kayode is still sprinting — albeit up and down the flanks of soccer fields instead of running tracks.

And suddenly, the 22-year-old right back is the face of a multiethnic revitalization of Italy’s struggling national team.

Born in Italy to Nigerian parents, Kayode scored one goal and set up another in his Azzurri debut at Turkey on Monday. He's likely to start again away against France in the Nations League on Friday.

Of the current Italy squad, five other players — Honest Ahanor, Issa Doumbia, Mohamed Alì Zoma, Moise Kean, Eddy Kouadio — are also of African descent.

Roberto Mancini, who was rehired as coach after four-time champion Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, has been looking for new faces to inject energy into his team.

“It hurts not to have qualified for the World Cup, but whenever something bad happens, I always try to see it as a new beginning,” Kayode said. “We're here to work hard and open a new cycle.”

Kayode went from Italy’s fourth division, Serie D, to the Premier League in a four-year span when he joined Brentford last year. The English club is having quite a start to the season, sitting in fourth place after pounding Chelsea 3-0 on the day that Kayode received his first call-up.

Before he dedicated himself to soccer, though, Kayode loved running.

“I always watched Bolt at the Olympics. And athletes like (Justin) Gatlin, (Yohan) Blake,” Kayode said.

But since his father was always watching soccer games on TV, Kayode got interested in football, too.

At age six, Kayode started training at Juventus’ youth academy but the Turin club let him go at 14 and he ended up with Gozzano in Serie D. Fiorentina then signed him to its youth academy and the rise has been rapid: A Serie A debut at 19, a spot in the starting lineup of a squad that reached the Conference League final, and the move to England.

While he could have played for Nigeria, Kayode also featured for Italy's youth squads, playing for the national under-18, under-19, under-21 teams.

“Nigeria approached me, but it's an honor for anyone to play for Italy,” Kayode said during his presentation at the national team’s Coverciano training center last week.

At Coverciano, Kayode was also reunited with Alberto Bollini, who coached Italy’s under-19 team to the European championship in 2023 and is now Mancini’s assistant.

Kayode scored in the 1-0 victory over Portugal in the 2023 under-19 final.

“Seeing (Bollini) here again is fantastic. I owe him so much,” Kayode said. “The feeling of winning that European Championship is unforgettable. I still look back at the photos and videos today.”

Since joining Brentford in January, 2025, Kayode has become known for his extraordinary ability on throw-ins — which have been measured at longer than 40 yards.

“I practically just woke up one day and discovered that I had these long throw-ins,” Kayode said. “When I was at Fiorentina I didn't do it much but then when I went to England I realized I had a coach who depended on them so we started using set plays and tactics and it's working.”

The throw-ins have become so associated with Kayode that he made one on social media to announce the gender of his daughter, Amelie, who was born in August.

“Being a father at my age is an incredible feeling,” Kayode said. “I don’t think there is any greater joy.”

See AP’s full soccer coverage here

Italy's head coach Roberto Mancini gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Turkey and Italy in Bursa, Turkey, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Turkey's head coach Vincenzo Montella gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Turkey and Italy in Bursa, Turkey, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Italy's Michael Kayode, centre, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Turkey and Italy in Bursa, Turkey, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Turkey's goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, right, makes a save as Italy's Michael Kayode, centre, challenges during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Turkey and Italy in Bursa, Turkey, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

Turkey's head coach Vincenzo Montella, centre, gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Turkey and Italy in Bursa, Turkey, Monday, Sept. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

MUMBAI, India (AP) — An Indian airline captain who was at the controls of a FlyDubai flight when his copilot stabbed him in an apparent attempt to crash the plane has been hailed as a hero, with his actions to thwart the disaster drawing praise from world leaders and those who knew him.

Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is from India’s financial hub of Mumbai, was seriously injured in Wednesday's attack. Passengers described how the pilot still managed to open the cockpit door to let them in. They restrained the attacker while the Boeing 737 descended sharply, according to witnesses and Israeli authorities.

The attack forced the flight carrying 174 people from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to Tel Aviv, Israel, to make an emergency landing in Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

Machchhar was taken to a hospital in stable condition, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, said late Wednesday. Embassy officials said Thursday that his family had been briefed on his recovery.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called Machchhar a hero.

“In the face of the gravest danger and despite being seriously injured, he showed immense courage and an unwavering resolve to protect the lives of others. His valor helped save hundreds of lives and avert a great tragedy,” Modi wrote on X.

Modi also praised the captain for demonstrating ”patience, presence of mind and courage,” saying his “actions prevented another 9/11-like attack from happening." He said he had spoken with Machhar's parents and wife and that the pilot was undergoing treatment.

“Smit’s bravery fills every Indian with pride,” Modi said.

According to Machchhar's LinkedIn profile, he has worked for FlyDubai for about four years. Before joining the airline, he spent 11 years with SpiceJet, an Indian low-cost carrier, where he served as a senior commander and line training captain. He logged more than 9,750 flying hours with SpiceJet, according to the profile.

SpiceJet, in a post on X, praised Machchhar’s “heroic courage” and “selfless actions.” “You are a hero to us all, Captain,” the airline wrote.

Machchhar, who is married and has two children, trained as a pilot at Mainland Air in the New Zealand city of Dunedin for 18 months, beginning in 2008, the school's head Philip Kean told 1News, a New Zealand television news channel.

Kean said Machchhar "did very well” as a student and later returned to India, where he worked as a recruiter for the school.

“We’re all very proud of him here and wish him a speedy recovery,” Kean said.

The school, which opened in 1991, offers a range of certifications, from private pilots' licenses to a diploma in aviation, and is popular with international students.

A report published last year by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority found that 39 international students, all from India, were enrolled at the school at the time of its review, accounting for half of its total enrollment.

In a podcast interview last year, Machchhar recalled how nervous he was and how he made mistakes during his first commercial flight in India, and the lessons he learned from the experience.

“At that stage, relaxing would have been the best option,” he told interviewer Zalak Mehta of the “Bona-Fide Banter” podcast.

“Stressing is not going to help, at least … in this industry,” he had added.

Machchhar also described an onboard emergency when a pregnant woman went into premature labor, forcing the crew to divert the plane. He said he followed procedures carefully and ensured a safe landing on the first attempt.

“It was methodical. It was quick. It was as quick as it should have been," he said.

Wednesday's attack triggered a major security response in Israel, with authorities scrambling fighter jets in case of a possible hijacking.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested in Saudi Arabia and was undergoing interrogation there. His motive for the attack was not immediately clear.

Netanyahu also praised Machchhar’s “extraordinary bravery” in a post on X, saying the wounded captain fought back after being stabbed, opened the cockpit door and helped passengers and crew overpower the attacker, preventing what Netanyahu described as a “catastrophic midair disaster.”

“He saved the lives of 174 people, including Israeli citizens and other nationals,” Netanyahu wrote.

Shota Musayev, a dentist and eyewitness, told The Associated Press how the wounded Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door to let them in before they grappled with the copilot.

Musayev then treated Machchhar.

“Poor pilot, he was just praying the whole time and was in contact with me, and I was afraid we would really lose him,” Musayev said.

In Ghatkopar East, the Mumbai suburb where Machchhar’s family lives, neighbors spoke of how easy-going he is and also lauded his courage.

“He has a lot of bravery in him,” said Ami Sapani, a neighbor who knows the family. “God is with him.”

Saaliq reported from New Delhi. Associated Press journalists Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand and Adam Schreck in Bangkok contributed to this report.

News media personnel film in the building where relatives of Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot for Flydubai, previously lived in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

News media personnel stand outside the building where relatives of Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot for Flydubai, previously lived in Mumbai, India, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)