Lautaro: "A special feeling, now I'll give my all for Inter"

APPIANO GENTILE - It was an unforgettable World Cup in Qatar 2022 for Lautaro Martinez: the Nerazzurri striker became World Champion with Argentina, thus becoming the 20th player in Inter's history to win the most coveted trophy. On 30 December, Lautaro returned to training at the Suning Training Centre, ready for the restart of the Nerazzurri season: in the first match of 2023, Inter will play the big match against Napoli, scheduled for Wednesday 4 January at San Siro.

The emotions of the World Cup, the return to Italy and new goals to achieve: Lautaro spoke about this and much more in the press conference, answering questions from the journalists present.

What was the first thing you thought when Montiel scored the winning penalty in the final? "I felt unique emotions: I thought about everything I have done in the past, it was a dream since I was a child. However, I didn't think it would be so amazing."

Was it the biggest dream of your career? What is your new dream? "Definitely yes, it was the biggest dream, winning the World Cup is the greatest, also because you play for your country and for all your people. It was beautiful and exciting, also because of how we won it: now I have to think about continuing to win. That is the goal: to win all the trophies I participate in".

What mood do you come into the new season with after the victory? Do you believe Inter can win the league? "Yes I believe it, we are not even halfway through the season. We lost some points, but now we have an important game ahead of us, we have to do well and be smart. Plus in January the Coppa Italia will also start and there will be the Supercoppa: every one of these is important for us."

Argentina has always been able to react in difficult moments: what has this experience taught you and what elements from the national team would you like to bring to Inter? "The ability to never back down, even in difficult moments. The matches are long and the strength of the group is important. I want to pass this on to my teammates: many have played in the World Cup, we have experienced players who are very important in the locker room."

What was it like to be at the parade in Buenos Aires and then the one in Bahia Blanca? "It is an emotion that is difficult to explain: many important people were born in Bahia Blanca, not only from the world of sport. For me it's a pride, but also for my whole family who live there and my brothers who are also athletes. Buenos Aires was crazy, with five million people: we deserved such a celebration".

Do you still think about what happened in Qatar? What were the three most beautiful moments? "The first is the defeat against Saudi Arabia: after that match, we talked to the whole group and we started working again as we have done for the last three years. The second was the match against Holland: after they came back, the strength of the group came out, in extra time we could have won. At penalties then the important thing is to take them well and we won. And then Montiel's penalty".

There has never been a World Cup at this time of year: what does it mean for a player's fitness? "It definitely gives you more strength because we are in the middle of the season, it's like playing the league. It can be tiring mentally more than physically, especially because what we experienced was very strong, also because of the way the matches were fought".

You have won the Scudetto, Copa America, Supercoppa and Coppa Italia: how do you cultivate a hunger for winning? "By working hard, I have love and passion for this sport and I always enter the field to win, even in training. The World Cup is the peak for any player, but we must also qualify for the next one and try to win it again. All players want to win all the trophies they participate in every year: I am one of them".

Can winning the World Cup and reaching a new stage in your career make you a better footballer? "We faced difficult moments both with Inter and Argentina. When I don't score I try to help the team in other ways. I give 100 per cent every game, but I'm human like everyone and I don't always get everything right. A month before the World Cup I had a torn ankle and I got there not at my level. But nobody can tell me not to give my best: I always give everything for Inter, for the staff, the coach, my team-mates and the fans".

Have you fully recovered? Are you ready for Napoli? "Yes, I'm back from 10 days of rest, but I've been working. I'm fine and if the coach chooses me I'm ready to help the team".

What is it like from a mental point of view to go from the excitement of the World Cup to the league in a fortnight? "It can be difficult, but I have finished celebrating. Now since I came back I've started thinking about Inter, the match against Napoli and working with my teammates."

How did you find your role in Argentina? For Inter, are you more of a key player? "I am ready for anything, in the national team I play with the best in the world. Everyone knows what he is capable of, and it's true. For Inter, I try to do the best with all my attacking partners, I practice every training session to then play in the best way in the match".

What did Inzaghi say to you when you won and when you came back? How did the World Cup change you as a man? "I started by playing, then at the World Cup you have to be 100% fit but I couldn't train. I always learnt from these situations, I am very happy with what I experienced. Once I came back here, the coach complimented me, my teammates wrote to me and now I am here with them to fight for our goals".

If you close your eyes, what is the image that remains with you with Argentina? And what about Inter? "There are so many beautiful moments with Inter, we won three trophies that hadn't been won in so long. Even with Argentina it's like that, the World Cup hadn't been won in so long: the most beautiful moment is when my daughter touched the World Cup. She has changed my life, I have won everything since she was born: evidently she has brought me good luck".

After this victory are you ready to become a leader in the locker room? "I've been here almost five years now, I felt important in the locker room even before. I have taken on a lot of responsibility and I always try to help all my teammates, that's how groups are formed. Winning the World Cup changes everything, but not here: I am the same person and I will behave in the same way as before."

How did you find Lukaku on your return? Did you feel the club's appreciation? "Yes, even after Atalanta they thanked me because I never backed down. I'm tough, I always want to play to help my teammates. Romelu I saw well, all four of us forwards are at our best: the coach will choose, we are working to approach the game in the best way.

Is there a message that has pleased you more than others? What was Maradona's role in Argentina's victory? "The most important message I received was from my grandmother, who is going through a difficult time. The fact that Diego was not there hurt all of us Argentinians, but he is a legend and has always been with us. I'm sure he is enjoying all our trophies.

Do you think if Italy had been there, could they have competed with Argentina? "I received so many messages from Argentinians in Italy, we are very close. It's nice that so many of them were with us, because Italy hasn't been to the last two World Cups in a row. This year they deserved it: now they have to prepare, because they have many strong and talented youngsters. I hope Italy will be there at the next World Cup.

How did you find the locker room? What will be the biggest difficulty in the match against Napoli? "Napoli have a lot of quality from the bottom to the top so we will have to organise the pressure well and do our job. So much of the game will come down to that, we have to prepare as best we can: the team is doing well, they told me how they have been training this period. We are fired up, it will be an important game for the future".

What have you improved on since your arrival at Inter? What do you want to improve on now? "I have learned a lot with the different coaches, even tactically changed a lot. In the coming years, I want to improve every day, I don't know in what, but I want to improve on everything by doing what is needed for the team."