Mateo Retegui, an Italian striker of Argentinean descent, is Roberto Mancini’s Serie A equivalent of Gabriel Batistuta from the Albiceleste.
Retegui has received his first call-up from Italy for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers, which get underway on Thursday at home against England.
The striker for Tigre, who was born, raised, and has played his entire club career in Argentina, is eligible for the Azzurri through his grandfather.
It is not unusual for strikers to travel between Argentina and Italy, but Retegui is going to the Italy camp rather than a Serie A team.
“Coming like this from Argentina to Italy, not in a club team, is not so simple,” coach Mancini said on the eve of the England game.
“It takes some time, but the guy is polite and smart. He is a good striker, young, we have great confidence and we have to give him some time.”
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— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) March 22, 2023
Retegui has scored 28 goals in 48 Argentine Primera Division games for Tigre.
While Mancini noted comparisons with former Napoli striker German Denis, he preferred to draw parallels with the great Batistuta.
Batistuta joined Fiorentina from Boca Juniors in 1991 and was a great success both with the Viola and with Roma.
“[Retegui] is a classic striker, I see that many compare him to Denis,” Mancini said. “I remember when Batistuta arrived in Italy, he reminds me of him.
“Clearly, he is a young guy and needs time and to grow. But I don’t think it will take long to settle in.”