Vieri: 'Pio Esposito will surpass Riva's Italy record; Milan have a great forward in Ramos'

Christian Vieri believes Pio Esposito will one day overtake Gigi Riva as Italy’s all-time top scorer.

With quotes via TuttoMercatoWeb , the former Italy striker made the prediction in a wide-ranging interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of Serie A’s return this weekend.

“In seven or eight years he’ll break Gigi Riva’s record,” Vieri said.

Riva’s tally of 35 goals has stood for more than five decades. The 21-year-old Inter striker already has seven in 13 caps after scoring against Turkiye on Monday. Vieri thinks he still needs to improve his movement in the box to reach 20 goals a season at club level, and sees more of Luca Toni in him than of himself: “Pio resembles him more, in my opinion.”

He also praised Roberto Mancini’s faith in youth: “He changes the teams and gives the kids a chance. Few people do that, and his example counts.”

BOLOGNA – OCTOBER 05: Pio Esposito of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Türkiye at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on October 05, 2026 in Bologna. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Vieri on Ramos, Milan and Juventus’ title chances Looking ahead to the weekend, Vieri doesn’t see Milan or Juventus as title contenders . He does believe the Rossoneri have finally found a centre-forward in Gonçalo Ramos, pointing to his displays for Portugal.

“The second one [Champions League]. But with Gonçalo Ramos, and you saw it with Portugal too, Milan have finally found a great centre-forward after years. 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.”

He 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. Gilardino? I’m always happy when my former teammates coach, it’s just a shame he gets Inter straight away.”

NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Scott McTominay of Napoli is challenged by Lucas Da Cunha of Como during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) On Napoli, he warned that Massimiliano Allegri can’t rely on Scott McTominay alone: “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.”