Vieri: Pio Esposito Will Break Riva’s Italy Record, Milan Have a Great Forward in Ramos

FolioPitch.com – 08 October 2026 | In a wide-ranging interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Serie A’s return this weekend, former Italy striker Christian Vieri made a bold prediction: Vieri Pio Esposito will surpass Riva s Italy record Milan have a great forward in Ramos. Vieri believes that Inter’s 21-year-old sensation Pio Esposito will one day overtake Gigi Riva as Italy’s all-time top scorer. “In seven or eight years he’ll break Gigi Riva’s record,” Vieri said, via TuttoMercatoWeb. Riva’s tally of 35 goals has stood for more than five decades, but Esposito already has seven in 13 caps after scoring against Turkey on Monday.

Vieri, who scored 23 goals in 49 appearances for Italy, sees similarities between Esposito and another former Azzurri great, Luca Toni. “Pio resembles him more, in my opinion,” Vieri noted, adding that the young striker still needs to improve his movement in the box to reach 20 goals a season at club level. The endorsement from one of Italy’s most prolific forwards adds to the growing hype surrounding Esposito, who has been a rare bright spot in an otherwise turbulent period for Inter.

Vieri also praised Roberto Mancini’s faith in youth, saying, “He changes the teams and gives the kids a chance. Few people do that, and his example counts.” Mancini’s willingness to blood young talents has been a hallmark of his reign, and Esposito is perhaps the greatest beneficiary.

Milan’s New Striker and Title Race

Turning his attention to the title race, Vieri does not see Milan or Juventus as genuine contenders. However, he believes the Rossoneri have finally found a reliable centre-forward in Gonçalo Ramos. “With Gonçalo Ramos, and you saw it with Portugal too, Milan have finally found a great centre-forward after years,” Vieri said. “Like all centre-forwards, though, he needs to be found more. You want goals? More balls to play with. Otherwise it’s hard to say whether he can do well or not.”

Ramos, who joined Milan in the summer, has shown flashes of his potential, but Vieri insists that the team must provide better service. The Portuguese international’s movement and finishing ability are undeniable, yet without adequate supply, his impact could be limited. This assessment aligns with the broader narrative that Vieri Pio Esposito will surpass Riva s Italy record Milan have a great forward in Ramos, highlighting the two main topics of Vieri’s interview.

Inter’s Challenge and Napoli’s Reliance on McTominay

Vieri also urged Inter to raise their game ahead of Parma’s visit, which will be Alberto Gilardino’s first match in charge of the Ducali. “In theory, yes: if everyone at Inter is 100 per cent focused, the difference in level comes out. But you don’t always manage that, and in fact so far… But it’s time to change gear. We’re getting into the heart of the season and the Champions League gets tougher,” he said. On Gilardino, Vieri added, “I’m always happy when my former teammates coach, it’s just a shame he gets Inter straight away.”

Regarding Napoli, Vieri warned that Massimiliano Allegri cannot rely solely on Scott McTominay. “He can’t keep dropping too many points and think McTominay’s return alone can solve all the problems. Even though he’s been missed a lot,” Vieri stated. The Scottish midfielder has been a key figure for Napoli, but his absence has exposed deeper issues that Allegri must address.

As the Serie A season enters a crucial phase, Vieri’s insights provide a fascinating backdrop. The emergence of Pio Esposito as a potential record-breaker and Milan’s acquisition of Gonçalo Ramos are storylines that will captivate fans. Once again, Vieri Pio Esposito will surpass Riva s Italy record Milan have a great forward in Ramos serves as a reminder of the exciting narratives unfolding in Italian football.

Conclusion

Christian Vieri’s predictions have certainly added fuel to the fire ahead of a pivotal weekend in Serie A. Whether Pio Esposito can truly surpass Gigi Riva’s legendary record remains to be seen, but the early signs are promising. Meanwhile, Milan’s hopes of a resurgence rest on Gonçalo Ramos’s shoulders, and Inter must find consistency to challenge on multiple fronts. As Vieri aptly summarized, Vieri Pio Esposito will surpass Riva s Italy record Milan have a great forward in Ramos encapsulates the optimism and challenges facing Italy’s top clubs. Only time will tell if these forecasts come to fruition, but one thing is certain: Italian football remains as unpredictable and thrilling as ever.