Inter Milan Striker Lautaro Martinez: “Captain’s Armband Isn’t Heavy Burden, All I Care About Is Playing For This Shirt”

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez feels that wearing the captain’s armband for the Nerazzurri does not affect him much or feel like a burden.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster SportMediaset, via FCInterNews, the 25-year-old stressed that right now his only priority is doing everything he can to do what’s best for the Nerazzurri.

Martinez looks set to be the man to wear the armband in most of Inter’s matches for the rest of the season, as team captain Samir Handanovic is now second-choice to Andre Onana in goal, and Milan Skriniar will not do so given that he has announced he plans to leave for Paris Saint-Germain.

This is a new chapter in Martinez’s time at Inter, as the Argentine has emerged as more and more of a leader on the pitch and in the dressing room over the past couple seasons, but has not worn the armband regularly.

As far as the player is concerned, however, this does not make much of a difference, as he remains focused on fighting for the Nerazzurri at all costs.

Asked if he finds the captaincy to be a heavy burden, Martinez replied “It’s not a burden at all.”

“I’m proud and happy to wear it,” he said of the armband, “it’s a reflection of the work that I do every day.”

“I try to help my teammates out on the pitch, to do what the coaching staff ask of me, and to try to give the fans a reason to cheer at the stadium.”

The Argentine stated of yesterday evening’s 1-0 win over AC Milan in the derby that “It’s an important win because it was a special match, as all derbies are.”

“For us, the important thing is that we start picking up as many points as possible because we’ve already dropped too many.”

Of his winning goal in the derby, Martinez emphasized that “I’m happy that the goal allowed us to take three points, the important thing is that Inter always win.”