Mateo Retegui, Genoa – Photo Marco Canoniero/IPA
Mateo Reteguia few days before the start of the 2024 European Championships in Germany, gave an interview to Genoa’s official channels, to talk about the season that has just ended: “This is the second time here, because when I came to Italy the first time it was when I was very little. It is thanks to my great-grandfather that I am here, in Sestri Levante, a beautiful, quiet city, with the beach and the sea. I like it a lot, I’m a quiet guy, I like being on the beach sunbathing. Here in Sestri Levante but also 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”. A year has passed since his arrival in the city: “I had other opportunities but the coach’s call was important. The first thing I thought was that I would arrive in a great team, with great titles and a great history. 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 immediately took the first plane. It’s absolute bliss. I am very demanding, I think it shows from the outside. I want to do a lot, score goals in every match and when I can’t I get so angry. The day after the match the coach shows us videos of what we need to improve and it helps a lotor”. Now we think about the continental review: “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 the national team and of going to the European Championship. What if I imagined 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. Wearing the blue shirt and representing Italy is the most important thing that life has given me. 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 group? 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 have to think about ourselves and do things well, always with humility and let’s go and have a great European Championship.”
