Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has confirmed that he’ll play for Argentina at the Paris 2024 Olympics if called upon.
The striker spoke to Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports, via FCInterNews. He also hit out at former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta for claiming that he is not a “big match player.”
This summer, Paris will host the summer Olympic Games.
As part of the games, there will be a football tournament.
The Olympics is not the highest-profile competition for football the way that it is for many other sports and athletics.
On the contrary, there are other international tournaments with considerably higher prestige.
These include the World Cup and the Copa America, both of which Inter captain Martinez has won with Argentina.
Then, there are the European championships. This summer will see that tournament played.
Lautaro Martinez Confirms Desire To Play For Argentina At 2024 Olympics
Because of its lower profile compared to other major football tournament, the Olympics does not always see major footballing nations call up their top stars.
Alternatively, players may decline to participate in the Olympics.
In the modern game, with so many fixtures at both club and international level, players must consider which matches to prioritize, or else risk the physical and mental toll of too many matches.
But that does not mean that top players do not play at the Olympics.
For example, at the 2016 summer games, Neymar played for Brazil. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe has indicated that he is willing to play for France this summer – the same summer as the Euros.
And Inter captain Martinez has said that “If [Argentina Olympic team coach Javier] Mascherano wants to count on me, I’ll always be available.”
“I work so that I can represent this shirt,” the 26-year-old said of playing for Argentina.
“Being part of the national team is always a privilege.”
Martinez said that “If Mascherano is listening, I’ll confirm for him that I’m available.”
Given that the Olympics run well into August, Martinez’s preseason with Inter could be somewhat disrupted.
The Nerazzurri captain may not be available for his club until a couple weeks before the start of the club season.
Withering Response To Costacurta: “I Invite Him To Watch My Goal Vs AC Milan Again”
Meanwhile, Martinez responded to remarks by former Milan defender Costacurta.
The legendary former defender, now a pundit, suggested that the Inter captain doesn’t perform well in big matches after the Nerazzurri were dumped out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.
“I think Costacurta said that I have little impact in important matches,” Martinez said. “And that’s not true.”
“Scoring a goal in a Champions League semifinal against Milan. One of the most important matches in the history of either club.”
“And he’s not counting that?” Martinez said in response to the former Rossoneri defender.
“I invite him to go and watch that goal again.”
“And not just that. Many big matches.”
“Never Expected Career To Go Like This”
And Martinez spoke about his current form. “I’m having a good moment at Inter,” he said.
“The truth is, I didn’t imagine my career going like this.”
“Especially considering the history that Inter has with Argentine players.”
“I’ve gotten the chance to play for Inter for six years already,” Martinez said. “For me it’s important to make a place for myself in the history of the club. To break records.”
“I hope that by working day after day we can stay on the path we’re on,” the Inter captain continued.
“And keep giving great joy to our fans, who have treated me incredibly since the first moment I arrived.”
“I try to give everything on the pitch,” Martinez added. “That’s my job.
At the moment, Martinez is in contract extension talks with Inter. The striker’s current contract runs until the end of June 2026.
Inter want to extend that by two years. There is optimism, but no agreement yet on a new deal as Inter have yet to meet the financial demands of their captain.
