Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has earned one or two Ballon D’Or shouts following his match-winning performance against Fiorentina yesterday.
Today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, hail the 25-year-old’s outstanding display in the Coppa Italia and ask the question – how far away can he be from world football’s top individual honour if he keeps this up?
Martinez was the man to haul Inter back into yesterday’s final against Fiorentina.
After a nightmare start that saw the Nerazzurri concede in the third minute, the Argentine led the team back into the match.
Even before his goals, Martinez worked his socks off to make himself an outlet when his team were facing waves of Viola pressure and clearly rattled in possession.
Fiorentina centre-backs Lucas Martinez Quarta and particularly Nikola Milenkovic looked like they couldn’t live with Martinez.
The Argentine was rewarded for his aggressive display up against Milenkovic as he got the better of the Serb on two occasions to score a first-half brace that turned things around for the Nerazzurri.
First, Martinez got free of Milenkovic to latch onto an exquisite Marcelo Brozovic pass which he drilled into the bottom corner. Then, the striker scored a brilliant acrobatic volley from a Nicolo Barella cross that was virtually as impressive.
World Cup, Coppa Italia, Champions League? How Long Til Lautaro Martinez In Ballon D’Or Contention?
For the Gazzetta, this was not just a one-off match from Martinez.
The Argentine has been in this kind of form for much of the season. The 25-year-old’s goals, holdup play, defensive effort, and leadership with or without the captain’s armband have been key to so many of Inter’s best displays as a team.
Martinez already won the World Cup in Qatar in December.
Now, he can add both the Supercoppa Italiana and the Coppa Italiana to that trophy haul.
Moreover, there is an even bigger piece of silverware on offer next month. Inter will travel to Istanbul to face Manchester City for the Champions League title on June 10.
Lifting the Champions League trophy won’t be easy, to put it very mildly.
Martinez has arguably yet to come up against an opponent as diffformidable icult as this Man City team.
However, the Gazzetta suggests, the Argentine has put City on notice. Martinez hasn’t wilted in the spotlight yet, why will he next month?
And, if Martinez does manage to lift European club football’s biggest trophy, the question will have to be asked. How soon until the Ballon D’Or follows?
