*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 December 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:36, 30 November 2024 (UTC)
Konstantinos Karetsas (Greek: Κωνσταντίνος Καρέτσας) (born 19 November 2007) is a Belgian footballer who also has the Greek nationality (since 2024) and plays for Racing Genk in the Belgian Pro League.[1]
Career
Karetsas came through the system at his home town club Genk before spending three years at Anderlecht. He then returned to Genk in January 2023.[2]
He made his professional debut as a fifteen year-old for Jong Genk in the opening game of the 2023-24 season. He scored three goals in his first seven league games.[3] When he scored his first professional goal on 1 September 2023, in the Challenger Pro League against RSCA Futures, he became the youngest goalscorer in Belgian pro-league history.[4][5]
After a few strong months at Jong Genk, Karetsas was promoted to Genk's first team in February 2024 together with teammate Noah Adedeji-Sternberg. He was given his official debut by coach Wouter Vrancken in the league match against Cercle Brugge on 4 May. In the 88th minute, Karetsas came on for Bilal El Khannouss. Two weeks later, interim head coach Domenico Olivieri give him a first-team start for the first time for the league match against Royal Antwerp and in the 28th minute, he provided the assist for the only goal of the game, scored by Andi Zeqiri.
Karetsas continued to impress in the opening weeks of the 2024-25 season, while still 16 years old, and was selected among The Guardian's 60 best young talents in world football selection for 2024.[6]
International career
Karetsas was born in Belgium to Greek parents.[7] He is eligible to represent Greece and Belgium international teams. He is a Belgian youth international.[8]
Sounded out by the Greek Football Association to play for them, Karetsas was selected by the Belgian Under-21s for European qualifiers against Scotland and Hungary in October 2024, coming on as substitute in the latter match for this debut at that level.[9]
Career statistics
As of match played 15 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
