Pio and Sebastiano Esposito made international soccer history during Italy’s UEFA Nations League fixture, stepping onto the pitch together as starters in a 4-1 victory over Turkey that marked a rare family milestone not seen in Italian national team football for more than a century.
Brothers Lead Italy’s Starting XI After a Century-Long Wait
When the starting lineup dropped for the match against Turkey, Pio and Sebastiano Esposito became the first pair of brothers to start a match for the Azzurri in 111 years. The last occurrence dates back to January 1915, when Aldo and Luigi Cevenini featured together in the opening XI against Switzerland. For Sebastiano, the fixture served as his senior international debut for Italy, while Pio arrived with 10 prior caps and five international goals already to his name.
“I remember very well my first experience with the senior Italy team because it only happened last year, so I tried not to add any pressure on his shoulders. I hope he enjoyed it as much as possible,” Pio Esposito told RAI Sport after the final whistle. “It’s wonderful to share this experience with him and I hope we can do it many times again.”
Expanding a Rare Family Legacy at the Senior Level
The Esposito family’s historic night extended beyond just the two brothers on the pitch. Sebastiano’s appearance made him the third Esposito brother to represent Italy at the senior level, joining eldest sibling Salvatore, who earned his debut cap in 2022. According to records compiled by Sky Sports and RAI Sport, this marks the first time that three brothers have represented the senior Italian national team. Pio and Sebastiano join an exclusive club of brothers to play in the same official match for the nation, following Giuseppe and Felice Milano, Aldo and Luigi Cevenini, and Filippo and Simone Inzaghi.
The match itself saw Italy secure three points in their Nations League group campaign following a dominant attacking display. Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, and Michael Kayode established a commanding lead within the opening 27 minutes. Pio Esposito capped off the scoring in the second half by reacting quickly to turn home a rebound after Sandro Tonali’s initial strike rattled the crossbar.
Squad Dynamics and Upcoming Fixtures
Reflecting on the atmosphere within the squad, Pio emphasized the collective mindset required to wear the national team jersey. “We felt a great enthusiasm, the spirit that must always be there when wearing this shirt,” Pio noted. “Football doesn’t always go the way we want, but we must always have this attitude. Today we really enjoyed our game, and I think that was clear for everyone to see.”
The Azzurri return to competition in the upcoming international window as UEFA Nations League group stage play continues.
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