Former Inter midfielder Evaristo Beccalossi has praised striker Lautaro Martinez as a leader in the team and felt that the Argentine was becoming increasingly influential.
In an interview published in today’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport’s Sportweek magazine, as part of a feature on leadership at Inter, the 66-year-old considered that Martinez has established himself as an important figure due to his determined performances this season.
“Lautaro is certainly a champion and he is also a leader: in the way he does things, in the way he plays, in the way he transmits energy to his teammates. He drags them on,” Beccalossi claimed.
“If by leader we mean one who talks, then no, I don’t think the Argentine is one who talks a lot. More than with his mouth, he speaks with facts.
“He is a silent leader, and those are the most important ones. You never see him gesticulating on the pitch. I can’t stand those who do that. It seems like they lead, but then you realise that in reality they count for nothing.”
Beccalossi joined Inter from Brescia in 1978, making 216 appearances for the Nerazzurri, and revealed the most influential player that he had lined up alongside during his time at the club.
“A reference point in my time was Oriali, who also ran for me. I liked Lele because he wasn’t one of those who shout at you: ‘Run, get back!’, or adding a curse with it. To a guy like that I would have answered: ‘F… off, or, if I was in a good mood: send me a taxi.”
“I was a leader because of the quality of my passing and because of the consideration my teammates had for me, who would say to me before the game: ‘Take care, Beck, let us win today’. If the same happens to Lautaro, then yes, he is a leader.”
Beccalossi helped Inter to win the Serie A title in 1980, as well as the Coppa Italia in 1982, whilst he also lifted the latter with Sampdoria three years later.
