There was considerable apprehension surrounding Mateo Retegui`s transfer to Saudi Arabia. Not only did Serie A lose its top scorer, a crucial finisher for Atalanta, but the Italian national team also feared he might lose his form in a league with different competitive rhythms. Atalanta sacrificed Retegui to Al-Qadisiya for an unprecedented €68.5 million, an offer impossible to refuse. Similarly, the player could not decline the staggering €20 million annual salary, which he will continue to earn for four seasons.
While the clubs and the player were undoubtedly content with the move, the Azzurri staff harbored significant doubts. The main concern was that Retegui, who Roberto Mancini had shrewdly established as Italy`s starting striker, might follow the path of many other players who moved to Saudi Arabia more for lucrative financial gain than for continued career progression. However, Retegui has emphatically proven to be a pleasant exception to this trend.
Indeed, those initial concerns have now completely dissipated. Retegui has not only started remarkably well in his new league, scoring three goals in his first four matches, but more importantly, he has been even more decisive and effective for the national team. In his last two games, he significantly influenced the outcome, first by earning and converting a penalty at the stroke of halftime, and then with a spectacular goal in the 74th minute. Under Gennaro Gattuso`s guidance, he has accumulated an impressive five goals and four assists in just four appearances. Playing with less frequency in Saudi Arabia appears to be a benefit, allowing him to arrive at Coverciano more rested and consequently more impactful than many of his peers.
