Lautaro Martinez has become a complete striker at Inter after helping them to the Serie A title, according to his former mentor Diego Milito.
El Toro set a new personal record for single goals in a Serie A season (15) as Inter secured their first scudetto since Milito’s days back in 2010.
He is due to sign a contract extension with the Nerazzurri soon, although sporting director Piero Ausilio admitted on Wednesday that his decision to change agent had complicated matters.
“I’m delighted for Lautaro to have won Serie A,” Milito, who helped Inter win the treble in 2010, told Sky Sport Italia earlier this week.
“He’s made huge improvements and now he’s a complete striker.
“I’ve known him since he was little and I have real admiration for him; he’s a great player and a great person, his development makes me very happy.
“Lautaro still has a lot of room for improvement but I think he’s already done a lot.”
Inter finally ended their 10-year drought for a major trophy on Sunday, after Atalanta’s draw at Sassuolo handed them the scudetto with four games to spare.
Milito was one of many Nerazzurri fans celebrating the title at the weekend and said he was very happy for everyone at the club.
“It was about time Inter won the scudetto again after 11 years, we’re all extremely pleased,” El Principe added.
“It was always going to take time after Inter had gone a long time without even fighting for the title, but a team like them has the obligation to at least be in contention, so I think this title is very important.
“I think Inter have a weight off their shoulders now after getting back to winning ways.
“They’re an enormous club who must always try to win, they’ve managed to do it this year and I hope this is the start of a winning cycle.
“This is a very significant scudetto and it’s also fully deserved.”
Milito revealed his first message after the title was confirmed went to Inter’s vice-president Javier Zanetti, with whom he won the treble back in 2010.
“Pupi was very happy after Inter beat Crotone (on Saturday) but he was waiting for Atalanta’s match the following day,” Inter’s legendary former striker recalled.
“I know how much Inter means to Zanetti, how he cares for the colours and the club.
“The love he has for Inter has always been clear.”
Milito spent one season working under Jose Mourinho at Inter and was asked to comment on the news of the Special One’s arrival at Roma.
“I think it’s a very positive thing for Italian football in general that he’s back,” Milito argued.
“I’d have liked him to return to Inter but we want only the best for Jose and we’d like him to do well everywhere, apart from when he plays against Inter and (Milito’s other former club) Genoa.
“He’s a very calm coach who’s very close to his players on a personal level.
“Mourinho knows how to manage every moment and understand what players are going through; he gets 100% out of all his players and he’s one of the best in the world.”
Milito also expressed his love for Inter’s fans as they celebrated the club’s first league title in more than a decade.
“The supporters gave me so much, I will always be indebted to them,” he admitted.
“They keep sending me messages after all these years and this for me is extremely valuable.
“My heart will always be with the black-and-blue half of Milan, I’m happy for them.”