Al Qadsiah forward Mateo Retegui will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a leg fracture, the Saudi Pro League club announced Friday. The injury deals a significant blow to the team's bid to qualify for next season's AFC Champions League Elite.
The Italy international, who has scored 11 goals in 28 international caps, was injured after scoring and assisting in a 2-2 draw with Al Shabab on Tuesday. Medical examinations confirmed a distal tibial fracture. Retegui is scheduled for surgery and will be sidelined for the rest of the season.
The 26-year-old Argentinian-born striker scored 16 goals in 28 SPL games this season. Al Qadsiah currently sits fourth in the league standings, four points behind third place with a game in hand, crucial for Champions League Elite qualification.