Mateo Retegui
An Argentine-born striker who chose to represent Italy, instantly making his mark with goals in his first international appearances.
Born 1999 (age 27)·Footballer·Birthday: April 29·Generation Z
Biography
Mateo Retegui's football narrative is a compelling tale of dual identity and immediate impact. Born and raised in Argentina, he honed his skills as a classic, physical number nine in the academies of Boca Juniors and on loan at clubs like Talleres and Estudiantes. His prolific scoring in Argentina's first division created an unusual crossroad: despite his Argentine heritage, he was eligible for Italy through a grandmother. The Italian national team, in search of a consistent goal threat, called, and Retegui answered. He didn't just show up; he announced himself by scoring in each of his first two matches for the Azzurri, a stunning start that cemented his place as a new weapon for the European side. His subsequent club move to Al-Qadsiah in Saudi Arabia marked a new professional challenge, but his story remains defined by that decisive international choice and its instant, goal-scoring validation.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
Mateo was born in 1999, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Mateo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1999
#1 Movie
Star Wars: Episode I
Best Picture
American Beauty
#1 TV Show
ER
Mateo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1999Born
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2004Started school
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2012Became a teenager
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2015Could drive
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2017Could vote
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2020Turned 21
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 27 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Scored in each of his first two official matches for the Italy national team after switching allegiance from Argentina.
- Became a regular starting striker in Argentina's Primera División for clubs including Tigre and Boca Juniors.
- Earned a transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Qadsiah following his rise to prominence.
Did You Know?
He is the son of former professional field hockey player and coach Carlos 'Chapa' Retegui.
He qualified to play for Italy through an Italian-born maternal grandmother.
He spent part of his youth career at Boca Juniors before making his professional debut for the club.
“I will give everything for the shirt of the national team that calls me.”
