Santiago Castro, the 20-year-old Argentine striker making waves at Bologna, has quickly become one of Serie A’s most intriguing prospects. Speaking In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Castro opened up about his playing style, his journey to Bologna, and his aspirations for the future.
The young forward, often compared to Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, is eager to carve out his own identity in Italian football. “At first, I was proud of the comparison because he’s one of my idols, like Tevez was. But now I prefer to be talked about for who I am. I want to be judged as Santiago Castro, nothing more,” he stated.
Castro’s approach to the game is refreshingly old-school. He sees himself as a traditional center-forward, with scoring goals as his primary objective. “For me, scoring goals is the ultimate. Even Tevez and Kun Aguero played a lot for their teammates, like Lautaro does now, but when the ball came into the box, even if it was only once or twice a game, they were there, ready to shoot,” he explained.
The young striker’s competitive spirit extends beyond just scoring. He’s known for his constant chatter on the pitch, which he believes gives him energy. “I talk a lot with opponents. It’s something that gives me energy,” Castro admitted. He recounted a particularly intense exchange with Juventus defender Bremer: “We talked against each other for the whole match… But in the end, he and Danilo came up to me: ‘You’re strong, good game, keep it up.'”
When asked how he taunts defenders during games, Castro responded playfully: “Sometimes I threaten them: ‘Now I’m going to score on you.’ Or I say: ‘What a terrible game you’re having.'” He acknowledges that reactions can vary: “It depends. One might kick me harder; another responds verbally.”
Despite his playful nature on the field, Castro remains focused on improving his game. “I have to improve in many areas. I need to play more with my teammates and not always shoot,” he said.
Bologna has become a second home for Castro, who speaks fondly of the city and its people. “Beautiful city center, beautiful old houses, beautiful people: they’ve treated me the same way from the first day I arrived until today,” he shared.
Looking ahead, Castro has set his sights high. When asked where he sees himself in five years, he closed his eyes and replied, “I see myself in the Argentine national team. And back in the Champions League, with Bologna.”
