Legendary Udinese Striker Waxes Lyrical About Inter Milan & Italy Striker: “Destined To Succeed, Reminds Me Of Vieri” | OneFootball

Udinese legend Antonio Di Natale has heaped praise on Inter Milan prodigy Francesco Pio Esposito.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, Di Natale compared the 20-year-old to Christian Vieri.

Determined to make a name for himself, Esposito is making waves in Italian football at the start of the 2025/26 season.

Indeed, the young striker has been impressive in the early stages of Cristian Chivu’s tenure.

Despite only scoring once this term, Esposito has shown plenty of promise after a remarkable loan spell at Spezia.

Furthermore, he has earned the trust of Gennaro Gattuso, becoming an integral part of Italy’s national team.

Esposito got on the scoresheet in the Azzurri’s 3-1 win over Estonia in their last 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

As a result, there’s a huge hype around the Nerazzurri teenage sensation.

Di Natale was the latest Italian icon to express admiration for the robust center-forward.

Antonio Di Natale Praises Inter Milan Teenager Francesco Pio Esposito

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – JUNE 30: Francesco Esposito #94 of FC Internazionale Milano arrives at the stadium prior to the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between FC Internazionale Milano and Fluminense FC at Bank of America Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

“I knew him because I’m friends with the Spezia directors,” Di Natale said. “I first met his brother Sebastiano when I went to watch the Bianconeri’s training sessions.

“Last year, I saw Pio, and it immediately seemed clear to me that he had remarkable technical qualities.

“So, I wasn’t surprised by his many goals in Serie B or by the goal he scored in Estonia on Saturday.

“He will be an important player for Italian football over the next ten to fifteen years.

“He’s a predestined talent because he also has the mindset of a champion.

“Talking with him, he seems older than his age; he’s humble, always eager to learn, and very well-mannered.”

Moreover, Di Natale drew a comparison between Esposito and Christian Vieri.

“For me, Vieri, even though Bobo was left-footed, while Pio is right-footed.”

Finally, he commended the Inter youngster for a superb performance in Tallinn.

“True, but his entire performance was convincing. He held up the ball, helped the team advance, and moved a lot.

“He’s someone who knows how to play football – it doesn’t take long to understand that.”