When you talk about one of the best strikers in the top five European leagues, Lautaro Martinez certainly makes the list. At just 25, he is one of the faces of Serie A and has played a big role in helping Inter Milan return to face Europe's elite.
Born on August 22, 1997, in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Martinez began his football career in his hometown club, Liniers and made a name for himself at under-17 level. After catching the eye of the then-interim coach Fabio Radaelli, Racing Club de Avellaneda signed Martinez in January 2014 and made his professional debut in 2015. He scored 27 goals in 62 appearances for the club.
In 2018, he signed with Inter Milan for a reported fee of €22.7 million. Since joining Inter, Martinez has becoome one of the first names on the team sheet and was instrumental in Inter's triumphant Serie A campaign in the 2020-21 season, where he played all 38 league games and scored 17 goals along with 10 assists.
This season, he has helped Inter reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2009-10 season, scoring one goal and assisting one in the second leg of their quarter-final against Benfica.
In Serie A, his 17 goals are only behind Victor Osimhen's 21, but Inter face a tough battle with the likes of Juventus, Roma, AC Milan, and Atalanta for a top four finish.
Martinez has also been one of the regulars for the Argentina national team ever since making his international debut in 2018, representing his country in various international competitions, including the 2019 Copa America, where he helped Argentina reach the semi-finals. He was also a part of the 2022 World Cup winning squad. He has scored 21 goals in 48 appearances for La Albiceleste.
Martinez's style of play is characterized by his agility, quickness, and clinical finishing in front of goal. He is also known for his tireless work rate and ability to press the opposition defenders, making him a valuable asset in the attacking phase as well as the defensive phase.
Here are some of the most interesting facts you need to know about Lautaro Martinez!