Inter Milan has always had a tradition of prolific strikers, instilling fear within the hearts of opposition defenses. Legends such as Giuseppe Meazza, Alessandro Altobelli, and Roberto Boninsegna are celebrated within the club's rich history. Today, the San Siro faithful are rallying behind one of the world's elite forwards: Lautaro Martinez.
Martinez began his professional career in 2015, debuting as a fresh-faced 18-year-old with Racing Club in Argentina. Initially sporadically used, he became more prominent during the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, netting 27 times over 60 appearances. His eye for goal and ability to set up teammates quickly garnered attention from top clubs worldwide, yet it was Inter Milan who secured his signature with a €22.7 million deal.
His debut season at Inter saw him score nine goals across 35 games as he adjusted to the demands of Italian and European football. The following 2019-20 season proved to be his breakout year, with Martinez scoring 21 goals from 49 appearances, including five goals in six UEFA Champions League matches. This surge led to comparisons with his compatriot, Sergio Aguero, and him being featured prominently among top goalscorers.
Now, Lautaro Martinez holds the position of Inter Milan's seventh all-time leading scorer with 135 goals from 300 appearances, averaging 0.46 goals per game. This places him above notable names like Christian Vieri (123), Mauro Icardi (124), and Istvan Nyers (133). At the time of analysis, Martinez is just eight goals shy of surpassing Bonito Lorenzi's 143 goals.
Since joining Inter, Martinez has consistently scored over 20 goals per season, reaching at least 21 goals for three consecutive campaigns. His performance this season remains promising, having netted six goals so far. Given his remarkable form, projections suggest he could score at least 21 more this year, positioning him well within the club's all-time scorers.
Comparing Martinez to past greats sheds light on his achievements. His scoring rate matches the legendary Bentino Lorenzi, yet he falls short of the extraordinary scoring rate of Luigi Cevenini III, who boasted 0.83 goals per game during his tenure. While Martinez is becoming one of Inter’s central figures on the pitch, he faces stiff competition when measuring against historical performance benchmarks.
Out of Inter's historical records, only two players have scored over 200 goals for the club: Alessandro Altobelli, who netted 209 over 466 games, and Giuseppe Meazza, who registered 284 goals during 408 appearances. The latter is immortalized through the club’s stadium name, solidifying his stature as the top scorer. Martinez, now tied to Inter until the end of the 2028-29 season following his contract extension, currently sits at 67 goals away from reaching 200 for the club.
Looking beyond individual records, Inter Milan is facing strong competition this season. Currently trailing behind Atalanta and Napoli in the Serie A table, expectations are mixed. Altobelli commented, “Unlike last season, there are stronger teams, like Napoli and Juve. But Inter have something more than the other teams. I think they’ll come out on top, even if it will be more difficult.”
This season’s Serie A has proven tougher than previous iterations, with Napoli, Juventus, and Atalanta all vying intensely for the league title. With such formidable opponents, Inter must remain resilient and capitalize on their strengths—chiefly their firepower led by Martinez.
Should he continue his streak, there's potential for significant praise from both fans and analysts alike, as well as possible accolades should he reach the ever-elusive 200 goals mark. The hopes of Inter fans rest on his shoulders as the season rolls on, with the expectation of lifting more trophies before he eventually retires from the game.
