Mateo Retegui Posts Emotional Farewell Message To Atalanta Fans After Completing Record Transfer

Mateo Retegui has posted an emotional farewell message on Instagram after the Italy international quit Atalanta for Al-Qadsiah. 

Retegui only spent one season at the Gewiss but he left Bergamo as a hero after his goalscoring exploits. The 26-year-old won the Capocannoniere (now known as the Paolo Rossi award) and helped the club to a top four finish.

During his time at La Dea, Retegui proved to be one of the most lethal players in European and world soccer. Now, the Azzurri star will embark on a new venture in Saudi Arabia after completing a record €65million transfer on July 21.

However, the Argentine-born striker wasn’t going to leave his most recent employers without delivering a heartfelt goodbye to everyone associated with Atalanta.

Mateo Retegui Says Goodbye To Atalanta

With Inter set to increase their Ademola Lookman offer amid strong interest from Cristian Chivu, another emotional farewell message could be on the cards.

The Nigerian star looks destined to move to the San Siro this summer. That would prove to be another blow to new head coach Ivan Juric’s 2025-26 preparations.

Until then, Atalanta supporters will still be feeling sore after Mateo Retegui’s exit. The 26-year-old couldn’t thank and priase La Dea enough.

“Dear Atalanta fans,  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the affection you’ve shown me during this wonderful year,” the Italy striker posted on Instagram.

“It has been an honor to wear the colours of such a great club like Atalanta. Thank you to the medical staff, the coaching staff, the kit managers, security team and everyone who helped us grow every day.

“A special thank you to the Percassi family and D’Amico for their trust and the opportunity, and, last but not least, to my teammates for the way they treated me and for the incredible achievements we reached together.

“I will always carry you with me. I’ll miss you all.

“A goal-filled hug, sempre Forza Atalanta!”

Who Are The Most Expensive Italian Players?

Interestingly, Mateo Retegui’s transfer to Al-Qadsiah means he is the most expensive Italian player of all-time at €65m. The striker beats the previous record of €63m for Sandro Tonali.

Jorginho is the current final podium occupant. The midfielder moved from Napoli to Chelsea for a fee of €57.5m back in 2018.

The longest record holder is none other than legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. He cost a staggering €51m at the turn of the century when he moved from Parma to Juventus.

Another noteworthy entrant is former world record holder Christian Vieri. The former Azzurri superstar cost €36m when he transferred from Lazio to Inter in 1999. That was a HUGE sum for a soccer player at the time.

Retegui is already one of the favorites with the best offshore sportsbooks to finish as the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League next season. However, will he still be the most expensive Italian star come the close of the 2025 transfer window?