The father of Tigre striker Mateo Retegui is full of pride over his son's shock call to the Italy squad.

Azzurri coach Roberto Mancini has named Regetui in his preliminary selection for their upcoming Euro2024 qualifiers.

Dad Carlos Jose told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "He has an Italian passport thanks to his grandfather Angelo Dimarco who came to Argentina but was originally from Canicattì.

"For him it is an honor and a great pride to be called by the European champions. He is very proud and enthusiastic."

But Argentina never called him?

"Only once in the U19 in 2018 for a South American tournament. Then that's it."

On interest from AC Milan, Udinese and Roma, he added: "He is still owned by Boca Juniors with the possibility of the Tigre buying 50% of the price tag. So they will have to come to an agreement. Many European teams have tried and his dream, of course, is to play in Europe."