Football`s financial landscape continues its dramatic shift, and the latest ripple involves Italy`s national team. Striker Mateo Retegui, seen as a crucial part of the Azzurri`s attack, is reportedly on the verge of a move to Saudi Arabia. This development raises a pertinent question: can a player maintain the intensity, form, and readiness required for top-tier international football while plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League?
Cristiano Ronaldo serves as a frequent, albeit perhaps misleading, example. Two and a half years into his Saudi adventure, CR7 remains a prolific scorer for Portugal, seemingly unaffected. But Ronaldo, as the saying goes, is an “alien.” For mere mortals like Retegui, the reality might be more complex.
Italy`s Striking Options
Under new coach Gennaro Gattuso, Retegui is considered one of Italy`s primary center-forwards. The current pool includes Moise Kean and Gianluca Scamacca, with promising youngsters like Lorenzo Lucca and Pio Esposito also on the horizon. Italy has arguably faced more challenging times in finding reliable strikers recently. Kean enjoyed an excellent season with Fiorentina, while Retegui was a significant goalscorer in Serie A with Atalanta, demonstrating qualities beyond just being a penalty-box finisher. Scamacca, though recently injured, possesses a skillset valuable for both finishing and link-up play.
The Saudi Lure and National Team Implications
The financial packages offered by Saudi clubs are simply unmatched by European leagues, including the Premier League. For many players, including Retegui, such a move represents a life-changing opportunity. The Italian national team staff acknowledges this growing trend, recognizing that football economics are pushing players towards new destinations, a direction unlikely to reverse. More Italian internationals may follow suit.
Other European national teams have already grappled with this. Players like Ruben Neves (Portugal), Merih Demiral (Turkey), and Ivan Toney (England) continue to be called up despite playing in Saudi Arabia. Conversely, Marcelo Brozović (Croatia) and Sergej Milinković-Savić (Serbia) have seen their national team involvement change, though factors like age and specific team dynamics also play a role. Milinković-Savić, for instance, still appears perfectly capable of performing in a top European league, suggesting that maintaining peak condition from Saudi Arabia is possible but likely demands exceptional dedication.
Gattuso`s Perspective
Mateo Retegui has demonstrated commitment to Italy, famously choosing the Azzurri over his native Argentina when he was a top scorer in their league. Playing in a World Cup remains a significant goal for him. New coach Gattuso, known for his intensity and technical approach, is reportedly studying the Saudi league closely. He does not dismiss it as lacking technical quality or intensity, noting that many matches feature a tactical depth comparable to other leagues. Crucially, Gattuso intends to continue calling up Retegui.
Maintaining Form and Future Concerns
The challenge lies in player preparation and adaptation. Unlike the “computer-like” consistency of a Ronaldo, other players must rely on immense dedication to maintain fitness and sharpness. Travel demands for national team fixtures will also be a factor. While Retegui`s presence in Serie A or another major European league would have been domestically convenient for Italy, the global nature of modern football means players are increasingly scattered.
The trend extends beyond Retegui; Moise Kean is also reportedly considering offers from Saudi Arabia. This highlights the evolving market dynamics, where Saudi clubs can command significant transfer fees (Atalanta`s €52 million clause for Retegui is mentioned, somewhat ironically compared to the cost of a true top-tier striker like Osimhen) and offer life-altering salaries. Other Italian internationals like Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella have reportedly declined Saudi offers, at least for now.
The footballing future, it seems, arrived rather quickly, and we are only just fully realizing its implications. The potential consequences for national teams if Saudi Arabia continues to attract players who would otherwise be competing at the very highest level in Europe remain an unfolding story.
