Lautaro equals Nyers, 'Le Grand Etienne', with 133 goals: the story

Lautaro Martinez's new statistical milestone has led the Inter family to rediscover an extraordinary figure in the club's history. With his 133rd goal, the captain has become the seventh-highest goalscorer of all time for Inter, tying with Istvan Nyers, who played for the club from 1948 to 1954. Nyers made 182 appearances and scored 133 goals, achieving an astonishing goal-scoring average.

Lautaro joins Nyers in this respect, sharing not only talent and power but also similarities that can be explored by delving into the archives, reading articles from that era, and uncovering memories and testimonies from those who were left in awe of "Le grand Etienne's" exploits.

Istvan, Etienne, Stefano. Different ways to refer to this incredible footballer who arrived from France, where he was already scoring goals at an astonishing rate. He was coached by none other than Helenio Herrera, in a narrative that inevitably took on the colours of Inter, becoming part of history and legend.

Istvan was born on 25 March 1924 in the mining town of Freyming-Merlebach in France, near the German border, to Hungarian parents. It was Hungary where he grew up, where he began to play football, dancing across the pitches with virtuosity worthy of the Csárdás, the noble Hungarian dance. Anecdotes and stories intertwine, making it difficult to distinguish truth from legend when recounting his final departure from Hungary.

With war on the horizon, he fled with his young wife Anna, passing through Czechoslovakia before arriving in France, to Stade Français, right under the command of the wizard HH. Thus, another legend was born: the one about Nyers' nationality. Stateless, without a country. His few appearances for the magnificent Hungarian national team, featuring Puskás, Kocsis, and Hidegkuti, would not lead to more, because for everyone, Istvan would always be the stateless one.

Above all, however, Nyers was a formidable player—not imposing but solid and powerful. His shot was legendary. He had a powerful sprint, skill with both feet, and a determined character. A modern tactical definition would classify him as an attacking winger capable of playing on both the right and left flanks—left-footed but effectively ambidextrous, equipped with legs of steel.

When the talent scout Giulio Cappelli brought him to Milano, to Inter, it was 1948. Before becoming "Stefano," Nyers was known as "Le grand Etienne." He earned this title after scoring 34 goals in France, many from his powerful shots, reminiscent of Felice Levratto, the historic ‘sfondareti’ of Genoa (and also Inter), celebrated by the Quartetto Cetra in the song "Che centrattacco!!!"

His introduction was remarkable: on his debut against Sampdoria on 19 September 1948, Nyers scored a hat-trick. With white ankle straps above his socks, he displayed boldness and strength. Goals piled up. Many, countless within a team full of unique and flamboyant attackers: alongside Nyers were Benito ‘Veleno’ Lorenzi, Lennart ‘Nacka’ Skoglund, and Servaas ‘Faas’ Wilkes, the flying tulip.

It was a unique Inter, amassing goals and victories. In his first season, Nyers won the top scorer title with 26 goals in 36 matches. He then scored many more: 30 in his second season, 31 in his third, and then 23, 15, 8. The Scudetti came in his last two seasons, which were less prolific, but his goals always carried weight. He was always involved, even in the legendary derby won 6-5 in 1949.

The legend extends beyond the pitch; Nyers is a popular figure who lives deeply within Milan and drives the fans wild, especially due to the 11 goals he scored in derbies against AC Milan (making him the third all-time scorer in the Milano derby). Amid a fast-paced life both on and off the pitch, Nyers' Nerazzurri career came to an end in 1954 after 182 matches and 133 goals, remaining for years, the longest until Lautaro's recent goal, Inter's all-time top foreign scorer. He would continue his career across Italy, Switzerland, and Spain, always in search of new challenges. He passed away in 2005 in Serbia.

A brother of the world, a figure who could only be Nerazzurri. In the club's history, he is known as Stefano, Istvan, and Le Grand Etienne. Simply, Nyers.