Argentina-born striker Mateo Retegui scored two goals in his first two appearances for Italy, but his call-up highlights a massive contradiction in the country as those born in the Peninsula from foreign parents can’t apply for citizenship until they turn 18, writes Lorenzo Bettoni.
Retegui has been the answer to Roberto Mancini’s needs, at least short term given that Ciro Immobile’s injury and Gianluca Scamacca’s lack of playing time with West Ham left the CT with few options for games against England and Malta in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Retegui was eligible to play for Italy as, despite being born in San Fernando, Argentina, he has an Italian passport. In fact, his grandfather moved to South America from Canicattì, in the Province of Siracusa, Sicily, so the striker was offered the chance to play for Gli Azzurri. As revealed by Mancini last week, Retegui ‘immediately accepted’ to play for La Nazionale.
Italy have a long tradition with Oriundi, players born abroad but with an Italian passport. Omar Sivori and Mauro German Camoranesi are probably among the most notable examples, with the ex-Juventus and Verona winger even becoming a World Cup winner with the Azzurri in 2006.
The same goes for Brazil-born midfielder Jorginho who won the Euros with Italy in 2021.
Retegui won’t be the last player to wear the Azzurri shirt despite being born outside the Peninsula, but his case highlights a massive contradiction in the country.
Players born abroad with Italian roots, in fact, can immediately play for the Azzurri if called up, while those born in the country from foreign parents can’t apply for citizenship until they are 18.
They may raise and study in Italy and be totally settled in the country, but they won’t be considered Italians until they become adults and apply for a passport.
This is a matter that clearly goes beyond football, it is actually something that has been discussed in Italian society and politics for many years, but no Government has ever changed law N.91 of February 5, 1992, which doesn’t allow kids born in the country to become Italian until they turn 18.
One of the many weird consequences in footballing terms is that players who have never lived in Italy or even played in Europe can be called up and play for the Azzurri from one day to another, while those who have lived in the country for almost two decades are not eligible.
This is not to say Retegui or any other Oriundo shouldn’t play for Italy. On the contrary, the 23-year-old has had an immediate impact on the pitch and would deserve more chances in the future, given what he offered in his first two games with Italy. However, giving others the same opportunity would be fair, especially after spending many years on the Peninsula.
@lorebetto