He grew up in the Boca Juniors youth team and made his debut for the national team by scoring the first goal in Naples, uniting Maradona’s two lands again, although it wasn’t enough to come back for England. There is Diego’s mark in the destiny of Mateo Reteguithe striker that Roberto Mancini picked up in the Argentine championship, taking him from the Tigre and giving him, thanks to his Italian citizenship, the chance to choose the national team.
ANSA agency
Retegui: “I’m happy with the goal, but sad with the result.” Who is Mateo Retegui, from Boca to goals in Naples under the sign of Maradona (ANSA)
His, Mateo Retegui, accepted the new challenge finding himself playing in Europe for the first time after years with clubs in his homeland, from Boca to Estudiantes and now Tigre. He was born in San Fernando but his family, especially his grandfather, was born in Canicattì, in the province of Syracuse and then emigrated to Argentina.
“I’m sad about the defeat, but very happy to have made my debut in this country’s shirt”, were his first words after the match, obviously in Argentine. “For my family and for me it is a pride to represent these colors. I would have liked it to have been a debut with a win, but we have to work to correct the mistakes and win the next one.” Arrived in Italy, Mateo Retegui he had a long dialogue with Mancini, he spent a few days in training camp with the national team and immediately got a starting shirt. The blue coach believed in him after seeing him in the Argentine championship but also after seeing his determination on the pitch at Coverciano. He compared him to Batistuta when he arrived in Italy, Mancini, who gave him the starting shirt, betting on him in the debut of the new Italy in the qualifiers for the 2024 European Championships.
It took Retegui on the pitch the first half to understand rhythms and geometries well, then in the second half he quickly refined the understanding with his teammates, he was found in the right place on two occasions, wasting, but on the third he made no mistake: first a shot high, then immediately after a steal from Italy and an assist from Pellegrini for the Argentine who made no mistake, rejoicing and taking the hug of the Maradona stadium, which always has a strong feeling with Argentina. Six goals with the Tigre in Argentina in these first 9 days of the championship and immediately a goal with the blue shirt, for Retegui yes and the national team opens a new path.
ANSA.it
“It was a difficult game, then we conceded from two corners, but we dominated in the second half. We deserved a draw.” This was stated by the coach of the national team, Roberto Mancini (ANSA)