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·28 October 2024
Legendary Italy FIFA World Cup winner Alessandro Altobelli believes Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez should win the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
Altobelli spoke exclusively to SempreInter.com echoing the same sentiment as Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi a couple of days ago.
Altobelli, who scored Italy’s third and final goal in the 3-1 1982 FIFA World Cup Final against West Germany, was adamant that Lautaro Martinez deserves the accolade.
This despite the dry patches the 2022 Argentina FIFA World Cup winner experienced last season. Lautaro Martinez captained Inter Milan to the club’s 20th Serie A title last season.
He was also the 2023/2024 Serie A top goalscorer as well as being named the MVP. Last summer Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the final of the 2024 Copa America.
This after becoming the top goalscorer in the tournament en route to Argentina retaining their title.
These milestones have prompted many to call for the Argentina striker to be awarded this year’s Ballon d’or.
Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham are also considered to be the favorites. The Brazilian is widely considered to be a shoe-in.
However, many voices have been raised that Lautaro Martinez deserves it more.
When asked about Lautaro Martinez performances last season in the Serie A, including his dry patch in the league, Altobelli was clear that the Argentine deserves to win the Ballon d’or.
“Lautaro is one of the best strikers in the world. Hats off to him.
“When you are talking about strikers, you need to take into consideration that all attackers go through negative periods. Period where the goal seems smaller than it was.
“But if we look at Lautaro’s numbers, he has scored many goals and he was the Serie A top goalscorer.
“He is in the list [to win the Ballon d’or]. He won the Scudetto and then the Copa America with Argentina. It wouldn’t be sacrilege to give him the award.
“I would give it to him but I am biased [laughs].”
The legendary former Inter Milan striker proceeded to praise new owners Oaktree and their decision to appoint Beppe Marotta as club President.
“I think this was the best decision they could have made. Marotta has always handled all situations.
“He is a super expert in this area. I think they couldn’t have appointed a better Inter Milan President than Beppe Marotta.
“He has been working in football for many years. He knows everything and everyone. It is difficult to find good people but his associates always know how to do their jobs.
“He knows how to run the club and the club never lacks anything. I also want to mention Ausilio given how Inter always sign players on free transfers whilst remaining competitive.”
Altobelli the proceeded to praise Inter Milan coach Simone Inzaghi for the football he has played as well as how well he gets the best out of his players.
As well as the beautiful football that Inter Milan play under Inzaghi, has raised questions whether or not Inzaghi’s Inter play the most beautiful football in the club’s history.
“Inter’s history is long and beautiful so let’s leave history in the past. Because we need to respect everything that Inter has ever done.
“We can say that last season Inter had an amazing season in the Serie A, winning the league deservedly. We were top of the league from start to finish.
“And everyone complimented us for the football we played, which gives us a sense of satisfaction. I like Inzaghi’s football.
“In the beginning some felt a bit perplexed. Because he cam from Lazio and he needed to manage big players. This meant there were problems to resolve.
“However, the results then arrived and he should be given great praise for this.
Furthermore, Altobelli suggested that perhaps the former Lazio coach was a little bit underrated. This given the six trophies he has won.
This as well as having reached the 2023 Champions League final. And as such he receives little hype when compared to other colleagues, Altobelli noted.
“I have asked myself this question too [why Inzaghi isn’t as hyped as his colleagues]. His best asset aside from knowing how to coach his team, is that he knows how to manage them in the best way possible.
“He plays every player in a role where that player can give his best.”
Altobelli then spoke about the new arrivals at Inter these last two summers. Altobelli is very impressed with Marcus Thuram who joined Inter in the summer of 2023.
But also, in particular Altobelli considered the signing of Iran international striker Mehdi Taremi as the most important one made last summer.
“We would be doing a mistake if we fail to mention any of the new signings [which arrived in the summer of 2023]. Inter is strong thanks to all of its players, they all played well.
“Lautaro Martinez is perhaps this little extra but then look at Thuram. They are all important. If I take one away Inter will win just the same. Individuals don’t matter, but the team does. And you can see this.
“Inter have a very competitive team. When you win, it is thanks to the credit of everyone. Including the substitutes. They are all precious.
“For me Taremi will be the most important of the signings [Inter made in the summer of 2024].”
Finally, Altobelli spoke about Inter Milan’s chances to win the Champions League this season.
As well as which clubs will challenge Inter Milan for the Serie A title this season, before ending with his thoughts on former owners Suning.
“I hope so [that Inter Milan can win the Champions League]. Inter have the quality and the squad to go far.
“I think Juventus and AC Milan [are Inter’s main challengers for the Serie A title]. Then maybe Napoli, Roma and Lazio…
“I give Suning a 9/10 rating. Because they gave a great contribution to Inter. Then they won many trophies.
“In the end they handed the club over to Oaktree and I think the club will be in even better shape.
“In my opinion Suning have done a great job. They have been very attentive. Despite Zhang Jindong being in China, Inter never lacked anything.
“Suning should be given a big thank you.”
In conclusion, Altobelli gave an example of the best thing Suning did. As well as mentioning Suning’s biggest mistakes.
“They won many trophies. But the most beautiful thing is that aside from being owners, they were in love with Inter.
“Then it is normal that in order to keep the accounts balanced they had to sell some player in order to buy another.
“They have certainly made mistakes, given they were at Inter for many years. But these things happen to every owner.”
Altobelli spent 11 seasons at Inter Milan. He scored 209 goals in 466 matches. During this period he won one Serie A title and two Coppa Italia trophies.
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