Lautaro Martínez owned Copa America 2024. His winning goal in the final against Colombia helped Argentina defend the title. With five goals, Martínez clinched the Golden Boot award.
The 26-year-old emerged as the leading man in the tournament. It took him years of grinding to reach the top of his game.
How it all started for Lautaro Martínez?
Martínez came from a sporting background, precisely a footballing family. His father Mario was a professional footballer, playing five seasons in the Primera B, the country’s second tier, with Villa Mitre. Martinez’s first coach Alberto Desideri said that he had been into the know-how of football at a young age and had in him to be a successful footballer.
“He would focus on what he had to eat, getting the most out of each training session, doing the hard work at the gym,” Desideri told a leading daily. “Most young players need to be nudged in that direction, but he had it in him already.”
Martínez’ commitment to football is for everyone to see. His dedication and determination has been described by his coach.
“If we scheduled training for 8 a.m., he was delighted, because that meant he (Lautaro Martínez) could spend more time playing,” recalled Guillermo Puliafito, youth teams coordinator for Liniers. “He and his brother Alan would ride five or six kilometers on their bikes to get to training, and arrived with a smile on their faces,” Pulafito said. “That was always his mentality.” He would practice in places where temperatures can fall below zero in winter.
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Lautaro Martínez: Giving The Best
Popularly known as “the Bull”, Martínez always gave his best. This mindset grabbed the attention of the Racing Club youth team head coach Fabio Radaelli on a trip to Bahía Blanca.
Martínez moved to Argentine football giants Racing Club, in the Buenos Aires suburb of Avellaneda, in January 2014. Leaving home and living in a brand new city at the age of 16 was not easy for the young boy. However, he did not lose his dedication and stayed the course.
In July 2018, Martínez moved to Inter Milan after he caught attention of the Italian club. He won Serie A titles in 2020–21 and 2023–24, when he was also the league’s top scorer. In 2023, he led his team to its first UEFA Champions League final since 2010.
Also Read: Argentina Clinches Copa America 2024 Title! Martinez Hero
Despite international success, Martínez never forgot his roots. After winning the 2021 Copa América, he spent 10 days in Bahía Blanca, training with the Liniers squad for nine of them. “He apologized for the day he missed,” said Puliafito.
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Lautaro Martínez’ 2024 Copa América campaign can be described as a tale of resurgence. Self-determination, unwavering support from family, persistent backing of coaches shaped the landscape of Martínez’ career.
