Santiago Castro addresses Italy snub and Bologna future in revealing interview
Bologna striker Santiago Castro has opened up about his decision to reject a call-up to the Italian national team and his uncertain future at the club, in a wide-ranging interview. The Argentine forward, who joined Bologna in January 2024, confirmed his commitment to representing his native country despite previous interest from then-Azzurri coach Luciano Spalletti.
Castro, 22, revealed he has no regrets about turning down the approach, which came before Italy's failure to qualify for the World Cup. "We will never know," Castro said when asked if his inclusion could have changed Italy's fate, while expressing his utmost respect for the shirt. His primary ambition remains to play for Argentina, a dream he insists is very much alive regardless of the timeline.
The interview, conducted at Bologna's Casteldebole training ground, comes at a crucial juncture for both player and club. Castro has become a pivotal figure since his arrival, scoring 21 goals across all competitions and evolving his game under the guidance of former coach Thiago Motta and current boss Vincenzo Italiano. He credits them with teaching him to associate more with the team, moving beyond his previous instinct to simply charge towards goal.
His form has naturally attracted attention from clubs across Europe, casting doubt on his long-term stay in Emilia-Romagna. When directly asked if he could commit to remaining at Bologna for another year, Castro offered a diplomatic but non-committal response. "I'm missing two months until the end of the season and with Bologna I'm doing great, I feel like I'm in a real family," he said. "So today I only think about this family, but I don't want to say 'I will stay for many more years' and potentially make empty promises. You never know with the market, but I remind you that I renewed not long ago, so..."
His immediate focus is on what he describes as the two most important months of the year. Bologna are preparing for a Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Roma, having won the first leg, and a Europa League quarter-final clash with Aston Villa. Castro identified Villa as perhaps the true favourite for the European trophy, describing them as a direct and physically strong team, but insisted his side are ready for the challenge.
Reflecting on a recent dip in Serie A form, Castro suggested mental fatigue from the intense Thursday-Sunday schedule of European competition played a part, but pinpointed the loss to Napoli in the Supercoppa Italiana final as a psychological blow. Off the pitch, he recently married his partner Agustina in a small ceremony and continues to work with a psychologist, citing the importance of mental support in a high-pressure profession.
As the season reaches its climax, Castro's performances will be scrutinized both for their impact on Bologna's historic pursuit of silverware and for his own prospects. His stated desire to eventually play for Argentina, coupled with his rising profile, means the summer transfer window could bring significant developments, despite his contract renewal last year.
