Genoa President compares Italy striker to Balon d’Or nominee Osimhen

Genoa President Alberto Zangrillo believes that Italy striker Mateo Retegui has the characteristics to be like Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen, Soccernet reports.

Osimhen has been remarkable for Napoli in the last two seasons. He has helped the Partenopeans reach the pinnacle of Italian football, helping them to the Scudetto and the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League.

The 24-year-old goal poacher found the net 31 times in 39 appearances for Napoli last season. Osimhen’s brilliance has earned him nominations for the 2023 Balon d’Or and FIFA Best Player.

The Nigerian star is unarguably one of the best in the game at the moment, but Genoa President Zangrillo believes Retegui- his club’s main point man can be like Osimhen.

“I’m keeping Mateo close. Because I love him so much and because he has all the characteristics to become like Osimhen. And this would be a great thing for our national team(Italy) too,” Zangrillo said per Napoli Magazine.

Retegui just joined Genoa from Argentine club Tigre this summer, and he has already scored one goal in his three appearances.

The 24-year-old has four caps for the Italian national team, and he has scored two goals.