Retegui isn't simply Aubameyang's successor, he's a game-changer
Few can match the Gabonese international for his showmanship, but that is secondary to his ability in front of goal; there's no point being a 'showman', as the 36-year-old describes himself, if you're not delivering where it matters most: on the pitch.
And in what proved his only season at Al Qadsiah, after arriving last summer from French giants Olympique Marseille, the former Arsenal and Barcelona star did just that.
Fronting the ambitious club's attack upon their return to the Roshn Saudi League, Aubameyang scored 17 goals and recorded three assists as Al Qadsiah finished an impressive fourth.
Yet, when player and club agreed to part ways last week, manager Michel and his employers had their work cut out finding a replacement who could deliver as Aubameyang did.
However, not only did they do just that, you could even say they've upgraded. The man to replace Aubameyang? Well, how about Mateo Retegui, the reigning golden boot from Italy's Serie A.
The Argentine-born Italian international put pen to paper this week on a four-year deal in what is a massive coup for both the club and RSL. Retegui reportedly had a line of suitors, including Italian giants Juventus.
Ten years younger than Aubameyang, the forward arrives at the east-coast club at the peak of his powers after a breakout season with Atalanta.
Having joined the fast-rising Serie A side from Genoa the previous summer, he netted 25 goals and chipped in with eight assists to fire the Bergamo outfit to a third-placed finish.
It's been a meteoric rise for the San Fernando-born striker, who began his career with Boca Juniors. But it was on loan at Buenos Aires side Tigre that he first started to flourish, scoring 30 goals in 48 games.
It was there that he was granted an, perhaps unexpected, opportunity of a lifetime: to play for the Italian national team. At the time, Italy were desperate for a free-scoring frontman under Roberto Mancini, a man who is no stranger to Saudi Arabian football.
With Retegui's maternal grandfather hailing from Italy, as well as his great-grandparents on his father's side, Mancini presented the chance to represent the Azzurri. It's one Retegui grasped with both hands, grabbing a goal on debut against England in March 2023.
His rapid ascension to the national team quickly captured the attention of clubs in Serie A, with Genoa snaring his signature.
Retegui's first season in Italy was solid, if unspectacular, with seven league goals. Still, it was enough the pique the interest of Atalanta, who had finished fourth that season and qualified for the UEFA Champions League.
It was in Bergamo, in the north of Italy, under Gian Piero Gasperini that Retegui's talent really flourished. A brace on the opening day of the 2024-25 season was a perfect way to win over his new fans and gave a glimpse of what was to come.
At the 10-match mark, he had 10 goals. From there, he struck another 15 times to conclude the campaign as Serie A's leading scorer. In fact, he was six clear of his closest challenger in the race for the Paolo Rossi Award, Fiorentina's Moise Kean.
'Retegui has had an extraordinary season,' Gasperini said. 'He has scored with his right foot, his left, his head – thanks also to the contribution of the team. His goals have been decisive for our campaign.'
After helping Atalanta secure their equal-best league finish, more prominent clubs began circling Retegui, with Juventus apparently keen on bringing him to Turin. Yet it was Al Qadsiah's pitch that ultimately sealed his signature.
'I'm very happy; this is something I truly wanted,' Retegui said of his move to Al Qadsiah. 'I'm eager to know the team, the coach and everyone working here. It's a big step for me and I'm ready to give my best.'
The expectations of him are simple: score goals and help the upwardly mobile Al Khobar club win.
After an impressive first season back in the RSL, breaking into the top four and making the final of the King's Cup, the side from Al Khobar are clearly building for better.
Retegui, aged 26 and therefore set to spend his peak years in the Kingdom, has patently been signed with that mission in mind.
'I spoke with the coach about the quality of the players here,' explained the Italian, whose potential partnership with Mexican marksman Julian Quinones is mouthwatering, indeed. 'The expectations are high, and the team has a great mentality.
'I hope to be one of the reasons the fans are happy this season. I hope to score many goals and bring joy to everyone around.
'I'm ready for this moment, full of energy and determination to help the team. I'll give everything I have, and with teamwork, I believe we can achieve great things.'
Arriving in rude health and fresh off winning the golden boot in one of Europe's top-five leagues, Retegui is more than just a replacement for Aubameyang. He is a game-changer for his increasingly enterprising new employers.
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