Esposito earning Kane and Riva comparisons after brace in 3-1 France victory

MILAN - NOVEMBER 12: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with Nicolo Cambiaghi and Sandro Tonali during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and France at San Siro Stadium on November 12, 2026 in Milan. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Pio Esposito was voted as the player of the match by the vast majority of outlets in Italy following his brace during Thursday’s 3-1 Nations League victory over France, and one newspaper has compared the Inter striker to Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane: ‘A complete performance’. 

How the Italian press reacted to Esposito’s performance in Italy 3-1 France

Esposito’s brace against France means that he is now up to nine goals from his first 14 caps, and at his current goalscoring rate, is on course to smash Italy’s all-time goalscoring record, currently held by Gigi Riva on 35. 

The Corriere dello Sport gave Esposito a rating of 9/10 for his performance on Thursday night, labelling him a ‘constant thorn’ in France’s side. ‘He fought like a lion, often left alone against everyone,’ their report read. 

Sky gave Esposito a rating of 8/10 and agreed that he is the ‘heir to Gigi Riva’s throne’ as Italy’s all-time record goalscorer. ‘Exuberant, courageous and combative,’ was their assessment. 

La Gazzetta dello Sport, meanwhile, gave Esposito a rating of 8/10 and compared his performance to England captain and 2026 Ballon d’Or winner Kane: ‘His movement, which make everyone lose track of him, a complete performance,” wrote the Pink Paper. 

TMW also gave Esposito a rating of 8/10, adding that his performance is ‘nothing new’. They add that Italy now have a ‘great centre-forward’, and that it has been ‘too long’. The Corriere della Sera also agreed with the 8/10 rating.