Riccardo Calafiori didn’t play for Italy against Turkiye, but the Arsenal defender did make a local fan extremely happy by handing over his Azzurri jersey.
The Nazionale were dominant in Bursa with a 4-1 Nations League victory that saw goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode and Francesco Pio Esposito.
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This involved making eight changes from the side that lost 2-0 to Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday, and the Arsenal left-back was one of those sent to the bench.
Calafiori fan goes home happy
BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Riccardo Calafiori of Italy looks on as he sits on the bench before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
After the final whistle, some of those unused players stayed behind to have a kick-about on the pitch, and a young Turkish fan saw his opportunity.
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Even with a language barrier, it was impossible not to understand the sheer enthusiasm this kid had for the defender, and how happy he was to see that the Italy shirt was being handed over as a keepsake.
At least one Turkish fan went home happy from the second consecutive Nations League defeat, as they were also beaten 1-0 by France last week.
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