Mateo Retegui, the striker for the Italian national team, held a press conference on the eve of the match against Northern Ireland. Regarding Pio Esposito, he stated: “Having players of this quality is fundamental for me, and it’s not just about him. It pushes me to give more, to train with greater intensity. There is no competition between us; on the contrary, we move forward shoulder to shoulder.”
When asked if he had feared losing his spot in the national team after his transfer to Saudi Arabia, Retegui replied: “First and foremost, I must thank Gattuso, who spoke to me at length when I went to Saudi Arabia. He conveyed calmness and confidence to me. He told me things I prefer to keep private, but I am deeply grateful to him, and my gratitude will always remain.”
