He is employed by Tigre in Argentina’s top division. Although he never played in European football, Mancini places confidence in his physical presence and potential on the field.
Roberto Mancini surprised fans and observers at the start of 2023 by spotlighting Mateo Retegui, the Argentinian forward who later became Italian by naturalization and had yet to experience European club competition. In a Euro 2024 qualifying clash against England, Retegui started and delivered a striking performance, scoring the late goal that set the final score at 2-1, marking a significant moment for the Azzurri.
THE SCORER OF THE ITALIAN SELECTION. Mateo Retegui received the ball from Lorenzo Pellegrini and scored for Italy on his debut against England, at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, in the run-up to Euro 2024.
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The summary of the Italy vs England match, the game that marked Retegui’s debut
Who is Mateo Retegui, the Argentine striker who represents Italy
He was born in San Fernando, Buenos Aires, on April 29, 1999. His early sporting life began with hockey, a path influenced by his parents, who coached the Argentina women’s field hockey team. Football eventually found him, steering his career toward the beautiful game.
Retegui began in the youth ranks of Boca Juniors, making his professional debut with the club in Argentina’s top tier. He later spent time on loan at Estudiantes de La Plata, before stints with Talleres de Córdoba and Tigre, each stop shaping his development and resilience.
He appeared for Argentina at the under-20 level but never received a call for the senior national team. Then, on March 18, 2023, he earned his first invitation to the Italian national team, initiating a new chapter in his career entirely separate from his early days in Argentina.
Mancini’s view of Retegui
Mancini noted that Retegui resembles other Argentines who have made the jump to Italian football. He described him as a young player who will need time to adapt, yet possesses notable qualities. He is intelligent and well-educated, and Mancini expressed cautious optimism about his future. The coach compared Retegui to classic strikers and suggested his arrival in Italy mirrors the early paths of famed forwards, hinting that adaptation may come quickly for this promising talent.
What Scaloni said about Retegui’s call
Scaloni emphasized a measured approach, stating that the decision to call Retegui was not an attempt to derail the path of players already in his plans. He recalled experiences with Marcos Senesi, explaining that the national team would call a player when the moment was right. Scaloni stressed that there is no point forcing a choice that might undermine a player’s development. If Retegui ultimately makes a significant impact for Italy, that is welcome; if not, the manager would accept the outcome, always prioritizing the boy’s best interests and long-term potential. It is a reminder that national team decisions consider multiple pathways and future possibilities for players with dual eligibility.
Note: The foregoing reflects public commentary surrounding the selection and its broader implications for diasporic Argentine players pursuing European national team opportunities.
Source: Goal