Legendary former Nerazzurri striker Roberto Boninsegna admits that he never expected Lautaro Martinez to score 101 goals for Inter Milan.
Interview via FCInterNews, the former striker also gave the view that whilst Martinez would make a fine captain, he would rather see a midfielder wear the armband at the Nerazzurri heading into the future.
Martinez is now coming to the end of his fifth season at Inter.
When the Argentine joined the Nerazzurri from Racing Club in 2018, he was certainly a highly-rated player.
However, it was not obvious that Martinez would have the potential to grow and staying power to become the kind of player he has.
The 25-year-old is now playing as something like the best version of himself. This has meant that he is a key player for the Nerazzurri, setting the tone from the front.
It has also meant that Martinez has emerged as one of Inter’s major outlets for goals.
Whilst the Argentine didn’t immediately arrive and become prolific, his past couple seasons in particular have seen him find the back with greater and greater regularity.
Boninsegna: Lautaro Martinez Has Exceeded Expectations At Inter
“I hadn’t expected Lautaro to score 101 goals,” Boninsegna said. “But I had hoped so.”
“Today Martinez is a top player, but in position where Inter have several great players,” he continued.
“With Lukaku and Dzeko there are three strikers of an absolute world-class level.”
Boninsegna noted that “At the moment Lautaro is the starter, while Lukaku and Dzeko can rotate between themselves, which really says it all.”
Asked who he’d start with in the Champions League final against Manchester City, Boninsegna replied that “At the moment it’s difficult to say. But I’d say LuLa.”
Boninsegna then argued that Martinez should never be sold for any price. “Losing a player like that shouldn’t even be taken into consideration.”
“He’s a top player in the world, and Inter aren’t just any club.”
“The Nerazzurri rely on top-quality players, and they have to keep them to try and still get certain results.”
“If you start giving away Lautaro, or any of your other top players, you look like half a team,” he argued.
As for whether or not he would like to see Martinez as a future captain, Boninsegna replied “Honestly, for me, one is as good as the other.”
“If I were Inzaghi, I would put the armband on a midfielder, not on a forward,” he added.
