Former Lazio midfielder Marco Parolo feels that Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez is superior to AC Milan’s Rafael Leao.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster DAZN, via FCInterNews, Parolo praised the Nerazzurri striker and captain following his four-goal haul against Salernitana on Saturday evening.
Few would argue against the point that Milan forward Rafael Leao has been the Rossoneri’s talisman in attack over the past couple seasons.
The Portuguese international was the outstanding player in Serie A as Milan won the title in the 2021-22 season. And over the subsequent season, it has generally been Leao who has inspired the Rossoneri’s best performances.
Meanwhile, Martinez has grown into a similar role for Inter.
The Argentine has been the Nerazzurri’s top scorer in both of the past two seasons.
And having notched ten goals already this season across just eight matches, it looks virtually certain that he will be again.
Both Leao and Martinez arrived at their respective clubs still needing a lot of growth and development.
And both of the pair are now widely recognized as being among the best players in the Italian top flight.
In the view of Parolo, however, there is one among the duo who is even better.
The former Biancocelesti midfielder is of the view that the Nerazzurri striker has that extra bit of quality.
Parolo: Lautaro Martinez Superior To Rafael Leao
As far as who he’d take between Martinez and Leao, Parolo replied “I’d take Lautaro. He’s more mature, and above all more decisive with his goals.”
He noted that “Inter struggled against Salernitana.”
“It was a tricky match for them, until Lautaro broke the deadlock with a goal of immense quality.”
“The triumphs that he’s reached, with Italy and Inter, have made him an incredible footballer,” Parolo argued.
He added, “Leao on the other hand will never manage to score as many goals as Lautaro.”
“He’ll always be a supporting player,” Parolo said of the AC Milan forward.
The ex-Lazio midfielder argued that “Lautaro could start for any big team in Europe. The Portuguese could not.”