11 fun facts about Lautaro Martinez

Lautaro Martinez is undeniably one of the top strikers in the top five European leagues. At the age of 25, he has become a prominent figure in Serie A and has played a crucial role in Inter Milan’s resurgence on the European stage. Born on August 22, 1997, in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Martinez kickstarted his football journey at his local club, Liniers, where he quickly made a name for himself at the under-17 level.

His exceptional talent caught the attention of Fabio Radaelli, the then-interim coach, leading to his signing with Racing Club de Avellaneda in January 2014. Martinez made his professional debut in 2015 and went on to score an impressive 27 goals in 62 appearances for the club. In 2018, Inter Milan secured his services for a reported fee of €22.7 million.

Since joining Inter, Martinez has become an integral part of the team, consistently featuring in the starting lineup. His contributions were pivotal in Inter’s triumphant Serie A campaign during the 2020-21 season, where he showcased his skills in all 38 league games, scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists.

Lautaro Martinez has been a consistent presence in the Argentina national team since his international debut in 2018. He has proudly represented his country in numerous international competitions, notably the 2019 Copa America, where he played a crucial role in Argentina’s journey to the semi-finals.

Additionally, Martinez was a valuable member of the victorious 2022 World Cup squad. With an impressive record of 21 goals in 48 appearances for La Albiceleste, Martinez has proven himself as a formidable striker. Now, let’s delve into some intriguing facts about this talented player.

1. Emulating his father’s path.

Lautaro Martinez, like his father Mario Martinez, pursued a career in professional football. Mario Martinez, who was born in 1972, showcased his skills as a left-back for various teams in the Nacional B league, including Club Villa Mitre, Racing de Olavarria, Liniers de Bahia Blanca, and Club Rosario Puerto Belgrano. Lautaro Martinez followed in his father’s footsteps, carrying on the family legacy in the world of football.

2. Born into a football loving family

Born into a football-loving middle-class family, the talented striker’s father was a skilled player himself. However, financial constraints forced him to abandon his football career at a young age. The striker often credits his parents for their immense support and influence on his journey. Every day, he embarked on a lengthy journey from his family home to the football academy .

3. Nicknamed El Toro

Martinez’s ability to accumulate yellow cards, his unwavering determination and persistence, and his exemplary leadership skills showcased on the field have led to him being affectionately called El Toro, which translates to “The Bull” in Spanish.

4. Loves basketball

During the interview with El Grafico, Martinez openly expressed his passion for basketball, even stating that he would have pursued a career as a professional basketball player if he hadn’t become a footballer.

He said, “As a boy I played basketball, but at 15 I had to choose [between basketball and football] and I decided on football. But, if I weren’t a football player, I would play basketball, I love it. What’s more: I’d rather watch a basketball game than a football game.”

5. Idolises Radamel Falcao

Martinez, being an Argentine, didn’t idolize the likes of Diego Maradona, Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Batistuta, Hernan Crespo, or Gonzalo Higuain. Surprisingly, his admiration was reserved for a Colombian legend named Radamel Falcao. Martinez has consistently expressed his desire to emulate the playing style of Falcao.

He said, “If I [wanted to] look more like Batistuta or Kun Aguero? No, I want to look like Radamel Falcao. I always said it. I follow him a lot, I try to imitate him,” Martinez admitted while he was still plying his trade for Racing Club in 2018.”

“My childhood idol was Falcao, as a child I admired him when he played at River Plate,” he confessed once again in 2020. I got to know him in the Copa America [in 2019], playing against his Colombian team, and I asked him to swap shirts.”

6. Got a tattoo when he was just 14

Martinez, an ardent lover of tattoos, proudly displays his passion on his left arm, which is adorned with intricate designs. Surprisingly, his journey into the world of tattoos began at a tender age of 14, when he decided to pay homage to his beloved grandfather through his first-ever tattoo.

This revelation came to light prior to Inter’s highly anticipated Champions League group stage clash against Real Madrid in November 2020. “My first tattoo has great meaning, and I got it early in my life. When I was 14-years-old I decided to get a tattoo of my grandfather’s name.”

7. First Inter player in almost 50 years to score at Camp Nou

On October 2, 2019, Martinez etched his name in history as the first Inter player to find the back of the net at Camp Nou since Roberto Boninsegna in 1970. It was a memorable moment for the young talent as he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a thrilling 2-1 group stage defeat against Barcelona. Showing his prowess, Martinez wasted no time and opened the scoring within a mere two minutes.

8. He Has Several Accolades To His Name

Martinez, despite his young age, has managed to cultivate an impressive range of skills. As a result, he has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career. Among these notable achievements are Serie A: 2020–21, Coppa Italia: 2021–22, Supercoppa Italiana: 2021, UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2019–20, Copa América: 2021, and CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions: 2022. On an individual level, he was even nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2021 and featured in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season in 2019–20. Martinez’s accomplishments at such a young age are truly remarkable.

9. He Has Represented His Country In High Level Competitions

Having showcased his talent at different youth levels, he proudly donned the Argentine jersey in the 2017 South American U-20 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup. With an unwavering determination, he earned his spot in the senior national team in 2018 and went on to shine in the Copa América of 2019, contributing to his team’s impressive third-place finish. Continuing his success, he triumphed in the 2021 edition of the tournament, solidifying his status as a remarkable player.

10. Favourite dish is Pastel de papa

Martinez has a true passion for culinary arts and takes immense pleasure in preparing delicious meals. When asked about his all-time favorite dish, he couldn’t help but share his love for ‘Pastel de papa’, a delectable South American potato pie.

11. He Scored His First European Goal on Valentine’s Day

On 14th February 2019, Martínez made his mark in European football by scoring his debut goal, a penalty that secured Inter’s victory against Rapid Wien in the first leg of the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League round of 32. This impressive performance paved the way for him to earn a spot in the starting line-up, as Mauro Icardi was absent for personal reasons.