Retegui on what he needs to become Italy’s starting striker at Euro 2024 | OneFootball

Mateo Retegui says he must be humble and keep working hard to be Italy’s starting striker at Euro 2024.

The Genoa forward scored a brace in Italy’s 2-1 win over Venezuela on Thursday.

This means he has now bagged four goals in five appearances with La Nazionale.

“I am really happy because it was a tough game and we won it. We are really happy. Now we must rest and hopefully play a great game on Sunday,” Retegui told Rai Sport.

The striker’s father was in the stands and hugged the Genoa star after the final whistle.

With Spalletti still looking for a consistent goal-scorer for the upcoming Euros, Retegui was asked what he needed to become Italy’s centre forward in the summer.

“My father is here, all my family is close to me. I must remain calm, keep my feet on the ground, work hard and help the team when I play,” he concluded.

Retegui joined Genoa from Argentinean side Tigre for €12m last summer and has scored eight goals in 24 appearances across all competitions this season. His contract at the Stadio Ferraris runs out in 2028. This was Retegui’s second appearance under Spalletti.

The 24-year-old made his senior Azzurri debut a year ago, on March 23, 2023, under Roberto Mancini and netted his first international goal in a Euro 2024 qualifying fixture against England at the Stadio Maradona.