Mateo Retegui Rising: Profile, Stats and 2024 Outlook

Mateo Retegui is carving out a growing reputation as one of the most intriguing young attackers in European football. The Argentina-born Italy international has already turned heads with his sharp finishing, tireless work-rate, and knack for scoring decisive goals. This in-depth profile breaks down his journey, numbers, and prospects for the 2024 campaign.

Mateo Retegui Career Path: From Boca to the Azzurri

Retegui’s story begins in San Fernando, Buenos Aires Province, where he joined Boca Juniors’ famed academy. A robust 6’1″ forward who thrives on physical duels, he spent early loan spells at Estudiantes and Talleres before exploding with Tigre in 2022. His 19 league goals persuaded Genoa to sign him and Italy manager Roberto Mancini to lure him into the Azzurri setup under the new FIFA eligibility rules. Retegui debuted for Italy in March 2023, scoring against both England and Malta in Euro qualifying, becoming the first Italian since 1968 to net in his first two competitive appearances.

The Numbers Behind the Name: Mateo Retegui Stats 2023/24

• Club: Genoa CFC
• Position: Centre-forward
• Age: 24 (born 29 April 1999)
• Serie A 2023/24: 27 matches, 11 goals, 4 assists
• Shot accuracy: 58%
• Big chances created: 9
• Italy National Team: 6 caps, 3 goals

These figures highlight Retegui’s efficiency in front of goal and his increasing playmaking contribution. A shots-per-90 average of 3.2 places him among Serie A’s top 10 forwards, while his expected-goals (xG) tally of 10.4 suggests his finishing is no fluke.

How Mateo Retegui Scores His Goals

The striker is lethal inside the box, with 83% of his goals struck from within 12 yards. He excels at losing markers with double movements, then attacking the near post. Heading remains a strength—four of his league goals came via powerful aerial finishes—but his nimble first touch allows him to roll defenders and shoot early, keeping goalkeepers guessing.

Primary Focus on Development: Genoa’s Tactical Fit for Mateo Retegui

Coach Alberto Gilardino deploys a 3-5-2 that amplifies Retegui’s traits. The wing-backs deliver crosses, and the dual-striker setup ensures he rarely faces double teams. Retegui’s pressing triggers from the front, averaging 17.6 pressures per 90, demonstrating a willingness to defend from the front—an attribute Roberto Mancini prizes for Italy’s high press.

International Impact and Italy’s 2024 Plans

Italy struggled for goals after missing the 2022 World Cup, and Retegui’s sudden emergence offers a remedy. His chemistry with midfielders Jorginho and Barella continues to develop, and reports suggest he will spearhead Italy’s Euro 2024 qualifying run-in. If his club form translates to the national stage, the Azzurri could regain their cutting edge.

Transfer Rumours: Could Mateo Retegui Move in 2024?

Premier League scouts from West Ham and Crystal Palace monitored Retegui during the winter window, while Inter and Napoli remain domestic admirers. Genoa value him around €40 million, and a productive summer tournament with Italy could inflate that fee. However, Gilardino insists Genoa plan to build around their star unless a “Champions League-level” bid arrives.

Mateo Retegui in the Data Lab

Modern recruitment leans on analytics, and Retegui’s radar chart stands out:
– xG per 90: 0.49 (83rd percentile in Serie A)
– Aerial duels won: 3.1 (87th percentile)
– Progressive passes received: 8.7 (80th percentile)
Those metrics paint the picture of a striker who not only finishes but offers a reliable outlet for long builds and transitions.

Strengths and Areas to Improve

Strengths:
1. Clinical finishing inside the box
2. Powerful, accurate heading ability
3. Relentless pressing and stamina
4. Intelligent movement that drags defenders

Improvements:
1. Link-up play under pressure—hold-up control can be inconsistent
2. Weak-foot finishing—left-footed shots convert at 9% versus 18% on his right
3. Patience in build-up—occasionally drifts offside when eager to attack space

Expert View: Why Mateo Retegui Fits Modern Striker Trends

The contemporary No. 9 must finish, create, and defend. Retegui ticks those boxes. His shot-creating actions per 90 (2.9) trump those of traditional poachers, while his pressing numbers mirror elite workhorses like Lautaro Martínez. That blend explains why top leagues are circling.

Opinion: Ceiling Still Rising

Retegui’s rapid ascent from Argentine loanee to Italy’s great striking hope is remarkable. At 24, he combines maturity with headroom for growth. If he polishes his hold-up play and diversifies his finishing portfolio, he could become a staple for club and country over the next decade. For now, watching Mateo Retegui evolve week by week is one of Serie A’s most compelling storylines.