Lautaro Martínez is an Argentine centre-forward. He plays for Inter Milan and captains the Argentina national team. He started his senior career at Racing Club in Argentina before joining Inter Milan in 2018 for €22.7 million.
He has won three Serie A titles, and three Coppa Italias with Inter. And reached the Europa League final in 2020 and the Champions League finals in 2023 and 2025. He was named Serie A Most Valuable Player for the 2023-24 season and finished as the league’s top scorer in both 2023-24 and 2025-26. He currently ranks as Inter’s third-highest goalscorer of all time.
Martínez played for Argentina at youth level, appearing in the 2017 U-20 World Cup and the 2017 South American U-20 Championship. He made his senior debut in 2018. With the national team, he’s won the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup, and the 2024 Copa América. In the 2024 tournament, he won the Golden Boot as top scorer and scored the winning goal in the final.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Lautaro Martínez
His Childhood Was Marked by Hardship
Lautaro Martínez once said, “As a child, I had nothing. Sometimes, I didn’t know where I’d sleep at night.” His family had very little growing up, forcing him to grow up quickly and shaping the disciplined, determined player he is today. A tough start that built a warrior’s mentality.
His Father Was Also a Professional Footballer
Football runs in the family. Lautaro’s father, Mario Martínez, was a professional footballer. He played as a left-back in Argentina’s second division. He played for clubs like Club Villa Mitre and Liniers de Bahía Blanca, the very club where Lautaro would later begin his own career. A father’s footsteps, followed by a son’s destiny.
His Nickname ‘El Toro’ Comes from His Aggressive Style
You might know him as “El Toro” (The Bull), but the nickname’s origin is specific. Teammates gave it to him when he arrived at Racing Club because he was “always angry” and “threw himself into every challenge.” They also said he kicked the ball with immense power and was very difficult to stop.
He Made His Debut Replacing a Club Legend
Lautaro’s first official appearance for Racing Club’s first team came with a symbolic passing of the torch. He replaced Diego Milito, a club legend and fellow Argentine striker who was in the final stages of his career. Milito would later become another role model for him.
He Nearly Quit Football as a Teenager
When Lautaro Martínez joined Racing Club’s academy at 16, he was extremely homesick and struggled to adapt. He decided to leave and return to his family in Bahía Blanca. However, a teammate, Braian Mansilla, noticed him crying and convinced him to stay, telling him they would break into the first team together. A friend’s words saved his career.
He Rejected Real Madrid (and Almost Signed for Atlético)
At just 18, Lautaro turned down a contract offer from Real Madrid, feeling he wasn’t ready to leave Argentina. Later, in 2018, he had already completed a medical and signed a contract with Atlético Madrid, but he chose not to activate the clause, allowing Inter to swoop in and sign him instead. A decision that shaped his destiny.
Barcelona Also Tried to Sign Him
In 2020, Lautaro was on the verge of signing with Barcelona and had even discussed playing at Camp Nou with Lionel Messi. However, Barcelona’s financial troubles ultimately derailed the transfer. A dream move that never materialised, but a conversation with the GOAT that he’ll never forget.
He Had to Choose Between Football and University
When Lautaro finished secondary school, he faced a real dilemma. He had the chance to go to university, Nutrition was his chosen field. However, his footballing talent was too great to ignore, and he quickly turned professional instead. As a child, he also enjoyed studying maths and biology. A footballer with an academic mind.
He’s a Basketball Fan, and His Brother Plays It
Born in Bahía Blanca, the same city as NBA legend Manu Ginóbili, Lautaro has a deep love for basketball. He has even said: “If I wasn’t a football player, I would play basketball.” His younger brother is also a basketball player, representing Argentina at youth level. A family of athletes, on different courts.
He Has a Winery and Loves Red Wine
Like many Argentinians, Lautaro loves his meat and red wine. Together with his wife Agustina, he even owns a winery in Argentina. Off the pitch, he is an exemplary father to his two children, Nina and Theo, and they don’t have a nanny. He and his wife take care of them themselves. A family man with a taste for the finer things.
FAQs
Q. Which club does Lautaro Martínez play for?
A. Lautaro Martínez plays for Inter Milan.
Q. Which national team does Lautaro Martínez captain?
A. Martínez captains the Argentina national team.
Q. When did Lautaro Martínez join Inter Milan?
A. Martínez joined Inter Milan in 2018 from Racing Club for €22.7 million.
Q. What individual award did Lautaro Martínez win?
A. Martínez won the Golden Boot at the 2024 Copa América.
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