Mateo Retegui, a forward recently recognized as a vital part of Italy`s attacking force alongside Moise Kean and Gianluca Scamacca, is on the verge of a significant career move. Reports indicate he is set to transfer to a club in Saudi Arabia. This decision prompts important questions regarding his future contributions to the Italian national team, the Azzurri, and how new coach Gennaro Gattuso intends to manage players plying their trade outside of Europe`s traditional major leagues.
The Kingdom`s Call: A Modern Football Reality
The financial power of the Saudi Pro League is a dominant factor in today`s global football market. While originally perceived by some as a destination for aging stars seeking a final, lucrative payday – a “golden retirement,” if you will, though Cristiano Ronaldo certainly defied that notion – the trend has evolved. The Saudi league is increasingly attracting players in their prime or with significant potential, offering financial packages that most European clubs simply cannot match. For many footballers, including Retegui, such a move represents a life-altering opportunity from a monetary standpoint.
National Team Implications: Form, Fitness, and Distance
The primary concern for the Italian national team is the potential impact of playing in the Saudi league on Retegui`s form, physical condition, and overall match sharpness. While the article notes that some Saudi Pro League matches possess technical quality and intensity comparable to other tournaments, the consistency and overall competitive level compared to Serie A or other top European divisions remain subjects of debate. Furthermore, the logistical challenge of travel for international fixtures could also pose a factor.
Retegui has demonstrated his value to Italy, notably being a top scorer in Serie A during his time with Genoa and showing promising glimpses in an Azzurri shirt. His potential departure comes at a time when Italy`s striker pool, while having some talent like the revitalized Kean and the returning Scamacca, could ill-afford to lose a reliable option, particularly one seen as a starter by the previous coaching setup. The article, with a hint of irony given the situation, notes that compared to other national teams with players in Saudi Arabia, perhaps only Milinković-Savić was more central to Serbia than Retegui has become for Italy.
Gattuso`s Pragmatic Approach
New coach Gennaro Gattuso appears to be taking a pragmatic stance on the matter. He acknowledges the direction football is heading and the undeniable financial draw of Saudi Arabia. Crucially, he has reportedly been studying the league and seems open to selecting players based there. The example of Cristiano Ronaldo`s continued success and prolific scoring record for Portugal while playing in Saudi Arabia serves as a high-profile precedent, although as the article rightly points out, Ronaldo operates on a different plane entirely. Gattuso`s willingness to call up Retegui suggests that location, within reason, may not be an absolute barrier, provided the player maintains the necessary dedication and physical standards. The journey from Rome to Riyadh, after all, is perhaps shorter than some domestic trips.
Maintaining Standards and Facing the Future
For Retegui and any player moving to a less traditionally competitive environment, maintaining elite performance levels requires immense professionalism and self-discipline. Ronaldo, described as a “computer” in his preparation, exemplifies this need. The travels will undoubtedly add inconvenience, but the core challenge remains the player`s commitment to staying in peak condition, perhaps even more so than if they were facing the weekly rigors of a top European league.
Retegui himself is noted to be a professional deeply committed to the Italian cause, having famously chosen the Azzurri over his native Argentina when first called up. This dedication, particularly with the World Cup as a major objective, will be key. The potential move of Kean to Saudi Arabia, also mentioned, underscores the growing nature of this trend, which could see more Italian national team players targeted. The article concludes by noting that the future, shaped by the increasing economic power of leagues like Saudi Arabia, has arrived rapidly, leaving traditional footballing nations to adapt to a changing landscape.
