World Cup 2026 · Best player in World Cup 2026?

Lautaro Martinez

El Toro from Bahia Blanca

Centre Forward

Position

Inter Milan

Club

Argentina

Nation

Age

Biography

Born in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Lautaro Martinez rose through Racing Club before Inter Milan paid 22M EUR in 2018. He developed into one of Europe best strikers, winning the Serie A twice and the Copa America with Argentina in 2021 and 2024. In 2022 he was part of the World Cup winning Argentina squad and won the Copa America Golden Boot in 2024 with 5 goals. He was 7th in the 2024 Ballon dOr.

Lautaro Martinez

El Toro from Bahia Blanca

Centre Forward · Argentina

Trophies & Honours

🏆

FIFA World Cup

2022 · Argentina NT

🏆

Copa America x2

2021 & 2024 · Argentina NT

🏆

Serie A x2

2021 & 2024 · Inter Milan

🏆

Copa America Golden Boot

2024 · Argentina NT

The Venue

Inter Milan

Serie A · Italy

Lautaro is the captain and top scorer of Inter Milan. His partnership with Marcus Thuram is one of the most feared in Serie A.

Career Stats

280

Club Matches

168

Club Goals

0.60

Goals per Game

Club Assists

National Team Matches

National Team Goals

0.46

Goals per Game (NT)

110M EUR

Market Value

Career Timeline

2017

Racing Club

Professional debut - top scorer in Argentine Primera Division

2018

Inter Milan

Signed for 22M EUR - began building one of Europe best strike partnerships with Lukaku

2021

Argentina NT

Copa America winner - ended Argentina 28-year trophy drought

2022

Argentina NT

World Cup winner with Argentina in Qatar

2024

Argentina NT

Copa America Golden Boot - 5 goals including winner in the final

Best Matches

Copa America Finalvs Colombia1-0 AET2024-07-14

Scored the winner in extra time. Carried Argentina through the tournament with 5 goals.

World Cup Finalvs France3-3 AET 4-2 pens2022-12-18

Part of the historic Argentina team. Scored in the penalty shootout.

Serie Avs AC Milan2-12024-05-10

Two goals in the Milan derby to clinch the Scudetto for Inter. Captain extraordinary.

Records & Milestones

★

Most goals in Serie A in a single season by a South American player

★

Argentina all-time top scorer under age 30

★

Copa America Golden Boot 2024

★

Only player to score in World Cup and Copa America finals

Characteristics

Physical, aggressive centre-forward who combines strength with technical quality. El Toro runs channels relentlessly, holds up play and is clinical in the penalty area with both feet and his head.

Strengths

✓Clinical finishing

✓Physical strength

✓Hold-up play

✓Movement

✓Big game mentality

Weaknesses

✕Pace over long distances

✕Aerial duels against very tall defenders

✕Form consistency in Serie A

Did You Know?

Lautaro grew up idolising Gabriel Batistuta - he used to study videos of the Argentine legend to copy his movement and finishing technique.

He was close to joining Barcelona in 2020 when they had a 111M EUR release clause. Inter refused to negotiate and he stayed.

In the 2024 Copa America final he scored in extra time against Colombia to give Argentina their third consecutive major trophy.

He is the captain of Inter Milan at age 27 - a huge responsibility at one of Europe most demanding clubs.

His nickname El Toro (The Bull) was given to him as a child in Bahia Blanca for his physical style of play.

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