Who is new Italy striker Mateo Retegui?

Italy’s final decision to phone up Mateo Retegui was a significant surprise. 

Just after a ‘Golden Age’ of great strikers like Filippo Inzaghi, Antonio Di Natale, Christian Vieri, Vincenzo Montella and Francesco Totti, Roberto Mancini’s facet desires some fresh new blood ahead of launching their defence of the European Championship.

The get in touch with-up of Italy-Argentinian dual national Retegui demonstrates a willingness from the former Guy Metropolis boss to look for new talent from exterior of Serie A to fortify his squad.  

Lazio striker Ciro Motionless – who frequently struggles with injuries – is the only Italian striker who can ensure plans and behind him, there is a stressing dearth of prime excellent forwards. 

There is an at any time-decreasing pool of talent in Serie A which means Mancini was forced to look at players like Retegui – who was not seen as excellent ample to depict Argentina – at the very least until now.

Retegui agreed to be naturalised by Italy upon his phone-up and follows in the footsteps of his fellow countryman Mauro Camoranesi – who even with remaining born in Argentina – represented Italy and won the Earth Cup with the Azzurri in 2006.

The concern is now irrespective of whether Retegui can have a equally amazing job or if he will observe a route like Amauri, Gabriel Paletta or Cristian Ledesma – a few South People in america who played for Italy but endured miserable spells.

In gentle of his call-up, Sportsmail will take a deep dive into who Retegui is, what Italy can hope from him and how his decision to switch countries has been gained in Argentina. 

So who just is Mateo Retegui? 

‘There will not likely be second thoughts’, the player’s father, Carlos Retegui, told Italian outlet La Repubblica, outlining how the striker is entirely dedicated to the Italy lead to now and has no doubts about his selection. 

He has Italian DNA and the decision to perform for Italy has opened up a probability of a move to Serie A – a thing Retegui’s father statements is a aspiration of his.

Retegui grew up with Boca Juniors, where by he is even now contracted, but he has spent time on bank loan with Estudiantes and Talleres in recent seasons, prior to going on to Tigre previous yr.

His huge split came with Tigre, where he scored 19 ambitions in 27 video games in his to start with year. 

Retegui is a potent striker, standing at 185cm tall and weighing 82kg. He is regarded to be aggressive, is two-footed and has a match that appears to be suited to European football.

Furious Argentina really feel robbed

News rapidly spread in Argentina of Retegui’s conclusion to transform his nationality to Italy.

The most prolific ahead participating in in the Argentine Primera Division – possessing also been best scorer very last season – was described as remaining ‘stolen’ by Italy, who have taken gain of Lionel Scaloni’s uncertainties about the player.

The Argentine manager has by no means known as up the ahead and now Mancini has taken advantage.

Nicknamed ‘El Tabano’, in Scaloni’s head Retegui is behind Lautaro Martínez, Julian Alvarez and Giovanni Simeone in the pecking order.

His grandfather Angelo Dimarco emigrated to Argentina from Canicatti, in the province of Agrigento, Italy – a blessed coincidence that permitted Retegui to rely on his heritage to pick out an worldwide long run in Europe.

Can Retegui be the following Gabriel Batistuta?

Retegui could make his Italy debut in Euro 2024 qualifying games with England and Malta around the next week.

Possessing grown up in River Plate’s youth group in advance of going on to rivals Boca Junior in 2016, Italy legend Totti – who has become an agent following retirement – signed him up in 2020.

Totti even offered him to Rome who ended up not then interested in Retegui and at the age of 23, he could now become the subsequent star of the Italy staff.

Retegui’s idol is Argentina legend Gabriel Batistuta who scored 56 targets in 78 online games in worldwide football, although he also liked a glittering Serie A career.

Italy’s new striker is now getting monitored by Serie A’s leading golf equipment and Retegui is likely to have the opportunity to move there following his final decision.

Inter and AC Milan are both of those on the market place for strikers in the summer months with Olivier Giroud and Zlatan Ibrahimovic ageing for AC and Romelu Lukaku established to return to Chelsea from Inter.

Retegui now appears to be like like the most effective choice for both groups to assist rejuvenate their attack.