Mateo ReteguiGenoa striker, gave an interview to the club’s official channels, taking stock of his first season in Serie A, talking about being called up to the national team and his Italian past, with his paternal great-grandfather originally from Sestri Levante. Sestri Levante which, not surprisingly, is also the location where the interview took place.
“Did they meet me in Italy before I even arrived in Italy? Before everyone knows that I played for Tigre, where I received the call from Roberto (Mancini, ed). Now playing with the national team is everything, it’s a dream. When Genoa called me, what was the first thing I thought? I had received a couple of team opportunities, but the coach’s call was very important because he played for Genoa. The first thing I thought was that I would be joining a great team, with great fans and great history. The coach’s call was very important for me to be able to play here. Playing for Genoa was also closer to going to the national team, because all the Italians could see what I was like as a player and as a person. I want to thank Mancini and Spalletti because playing for the national team is everything for me, it’s a pride. It’s what a child dreams of as a child. When they called me, I jumped on the first plane. It’s absolute happiness.”
On the origins of his paternal great-grandfather, a native of Sestri Levante. “This is the second time here, I came to Italy when I was very young. It is thanks to my great-grandfather that I am here, in Sestri Levante, a beautiful, quiet city, with the sea and the beach. My relationship with the sea? I like it a lot, it gives me peace of mind. I’m a quiet guy, I like being with my partner on the beach sunbathing. Here in Sestri Levante and in Genoa. I am happy. I want to thank everyone at Genoa, all the fans, everyone who works at the club and who helps me. For me it is more important to be a better person even before being a better footballer. The warmth of the people is important to me, it helped me settle into Italy.”
“Describe me in three words? Quiet, familiar and fond of being alone, although I am very happy when my mother, my sister, my father come here to be close to me – explains Retegui – I always want to improve myself. In football you can improve yourself when you head the ball, when you kick with the right and left, from a physical and mental point of view. Football is like life. Don’t worry, can’t you see me on the pitch? But because adrenaline drives me to be like this (smiles, ed). I’m a hot-blooded boy“.
You are very demanding of yourself: do you look at the opportunities you have even when you make a mistake?
“I am very demanding, I think it shows from the outside. I want to do a lot, score goals every match and when I can’t I get so angry. The day after the match the coach shows us videos of the match or what we need to improve and it helps a lot. I like to see myself to improve. If you do more later it’s easier on the pitch. From 1 to 10 how am I doing right now? 10. I trained and prepared a lot to do things well with Genoa, but always dreaming of going to the European Championship.”
Have you already imagined yourself scoring an important goal?
“Yes, always with his feet on the ground and with humility. But I dream about dreaming and I see myself playing and scoring many goals with the national team. How many things have I imagined that have happened? Many, in football everything is as possible as life. If you can imagine it you can also live it. I have to continue, train and prepare and I’m ready. It’s a dream of all the players and I have to thank the whole team, it’s everyone’s job and I’m very grateful to everyone who helps me live this.”
After receiving a national team shirt, Retegui continues: “This is the most important thing that life has given me, wearing the blue shirt and representing Italy. It’s the best that’s happened to me in my life. The biggest dream? Playing the European Championship, I said it many times and a long time ago. The dream is to wear the Azzurra shirt and play the European Championship and if I have to dream it is that: playing the European Championships and always doing things in the best possible way.” In the group with Albania, Spain and Croatia: “I think it’s a strong group, but with our feet on the ground and with humility we are Italy, the last European champions and with four World Cups. We must think about ourselves and do things well, always with humility and let’s go and have a great European Championship”.
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