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Arrived in Europe during the 2023 summer transfer window, Mateo Retagui settled down in Genoa with the status of unknown in the battalion. A 5 -year contract initiages. A few months earlier, his name caused ink to flow in the European press, when to everyone's surprise, Italian coach Roberto Mancini, still stationed in Italy, had made the strong decision to summon him in Italian selection. Born in Argentina, the native of San Fernando had been able to wear the colors of the Nazional because of the Sicilian origins of his grandfather, when he did not speak a single word of Italian – which had relaunched the debate on Oriundi in Italy. Present in the list of 26 Italian players of the coach Luciano Spalletti to participate in Euro 2024, he was not long in being decisive in the national selection (18 capes, 6 goals). Author of a first mixed season with the Genoa (31 games, 9 goals), Atalanta had still decided to lay 22 million euros on the table during the transfer market in the summer of 2024. A choice that had questioned a large number of observers, especially Gianluca Scamacca, a competitor of Rebuilding for the post of holder in the national selection, emerged from a flamboyant season with the Bergamasques.
But the injury of the former Sassuolo giant made it possible for Useddos to be propelled directly under Gian Piero Gasperini to the delight. Last weekend, Atalanta took place a beautiful score against Hellas Verona (0-5), on the 24th day of Serie A. Enough to prepare in the best way before the poster against Bruges in the play-offs of the Champions League: “The match started well in the first half. In the second, we played other players and we avoided other injuries. Today, for the first time in weeks, no one has been injured. This is the most important result for us. Ready for the Champions League? Without a doubt, we really like the Champions League and in European matches, all the evils disappear. We have little to blame ourselves during this period, which is more reflected in results than in performance. The injuries slowed us down a bit, some very serious. Others are quite frequent, but if you are absent 15 days, you miss 6 games». And on the lawn of the Marcantonio-Bentegodi stadium, the Italian international has shone.
An already historic season
Indeed, Mateo Retagui scored a quadrupled against Verona on Saturday, a symbol of a performance of a real center forward. After missing the penalty against the Torino the previous weekend, he responded as a great player, scoring a series of sensational goals: a goal in a volley, a powerful head, a perfect finish and a last achievement that sealed his domination . A great complete scorer who speaks universal language. He scored 8 goals in his last 5 games. Its individual counter now displays 20 championship achievements this season and 23 goals in all competitions, including 3 in the Champions League. He was thus the author of four doubles, a hat -trick and a quadruple. With its connection with Ademola Lookman and Charles de Ketelaere, the 25 -year -old Oriundo also delivered 4 assists: “Retagted? Extraordinary when the team dominates, like today, an extraordinary scorer because 20 goals so far is an incredible number. There are also matches that he does not dominate, when one is forced to defend, he has a margin of progression». Mark four goals in one series A match is a rare performance. The last to have accomplished such a feat are Lautaro Martinez, Duvan Zapata, Ciro Immobile, Giovanni Simeone and Mauro Icardi. He is also the first player in the history of Serie has to reach the 20 goals scored in the league in February. With such services, Mateo Retagui is on the shelves of all major clubs, especially in the Premier League. Arsenal and Manchester United have already contacted the Bergamasque management. Aston Villa was mentioned as a possible fall point, even Paris Saint-Germain seemed to be an interested time.
Today, Mateo Retagui is part of the elite of European attackers as demonstrated by his presence in the list of those who contribute to the prestigious Golden Soulier. The Italian is there alongside sacred monsters like Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski, and has a concrete chance to make it a high quality certificate in the eyes of the stables. These extraordinary figures also constitute encouraging signals for national selection. Luciano Spalletti considers him as an indisputable holder. During the next international truce, Italy will face Germany in the Nations League and this period could represent a new turning point in its history with the Azzurri who started under Roberto Mancini, while he was still playing in Argentina with the Tigers . But retigui only thinks of the field without too many dualisms or competition with Moise Kean, the other man in shape in Serie A: “Competition with Kean? It's not just me and he who succeed in the league. I have to think of Atalanta, we have shown that we could do well and now I think of Bruges. We played very well. The team showed a lot of personality after the defeat against Bologna. This is important, we have a head high and we report 3 very important points“He said. There is no doubt that retagui will be one of the large summer attractions in a few months.
