Ex-Italy star Di Natale: Pio Esposito ‘reminds me of Van Basten’
Former Italy star Antonio Di Natale praises Inter talent Francesco Pio Esposito: ‘He reminds me a little of Van Basten, he’s the future of the Azzurri.’
Di Natale: Pio Esposito is the future of the Italy national team
Pio Esposito, scorer of three goals in five appearances with the Italy national team, is part of the Azzurri squad for the World Cup play-off.
“I’m convinced he’ll score many more and that he’ll be the future of the Azzurri for the next 15 years,” Di Natale told Gazzetta.
“Pio is so good, and I’m happy with the season he’s having. It was not easy to immediately show his qualities in his first season in Serie A, become an Inter starter, and earn an Italy call-up.”
Both Di Natale and Pio come from Naples, and the former striker met the promising centre-forward last year at Spezia.
“I root for him, and I wish him to do even better than all the other Neapolitans who have worn an Azzurri shirt,” Di Natale said.
“I’ve built a strong bond with La Nazionale and have great memories.
“I met him at Spezia last season, when I went to visit the director Andrea Gazzoli, and both Pio and his brother Salvatore played there. He’s not just a very good striker, but also a serious and humble guy. Even back then, you could predict he was destined to play for a top club.”
Luca Toni was the Italy centre-forward when the Azzurri won the World Cup in 2006, but Di Natale feels Pio is more similar to another Serie A legend.
“He’s a bit different from Luca in the movements he makes, and I say it with great respect. He reminds me a little of Van Basten,” he said.
Italy will play Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semifinal in Bergamo on March 26.
“We deserve the qualification, and I’m convinced we’ll make it against Northern Ireland, even if they have nothing to lose. But we are Italy, and we must show it,” Di Natale, scorer of 11 goals in 42 Italy appearances, said.
“Gattuso and I played together with the national team, and I respect him as a man and as a coach. He’s the right person to bring us to the World Cup. It’s a competition Italy can’t miss.”