Santi Castro is embarking on his second season with Bologna, but it’s truly his first full year since he joined the team in January. The Argentine forward expressed his eagerness to contribute to the squad, emphasizing the importance of wearing the number nine jersey. “What do I ask of myself?” he said. “I feel ready to play in Serie A, and I want to give my best for the team. The number nine carries a lot of responsibility. It’s a perfect number for a striker; Joshua had a great season with it, and I’m happy to have inherited it.”
Castro has already captured the hearts of the fans, and he is focused on the upcoming season rather than any distant goals like the Champions League. He spoke about his best skills on the field, highlighting his ability in one-on-one situations and his determination to give everything in every match. “I love playing from the first whistle to the last,” he shared. “I also enjoy being the first defender and leaving it all on the pitch.”
The striker was signed for €12 million, and although he played only eight matches under Thiago Motta last year, he feels a strong sense of belonging at the club. He even got a tattoo of the Torre di Maratona from the Dall’Ara Stadium on his calf. “A tattoo means a lot to me; it represents my entire career, my time at Vélez, and my family names, as well as Bologna now,” he explained. “My history is written on my body.”
Castro expressed some disappointment about missing the Olympics but emphasized that the national team is everything to him. “In this case, it wasn’t my decision. Once it was confirmed that I would be here, my focus became Bologna and the three competitions we have ahead,” he said. He also discussed his competition with fellow forward Dallinga: “There isn’t a first or second; it’s a healthy competition that benefits the team and each of us. Whoever plays, plays.”
Known as a fighter on the pitch, Castro enjoys getting under the skin of his opponents as a way to energize himself. Reflecting on the coaching styles, he noted, “Vincenzo Italiano and Thiago Motta are quite similar in work intensity. I’m happy to have Vincenzo now and to have had Motta last season. I’ve improved my tactics this year and my communication with teammates on the field.”
As for his ambitions, Castro is looking forward to scoring his first Champions League goal but is focused on one match at a time, beginning with Udinese and then Napoli. He doesn’t have a specific goal tally in mind but hopes to reach double figures, aiming to surpass Zirkzee’s eleven goals. “That wouldn’t be bad at all,” he smiled.