Diego Milito praised the qualities of Inter star Lautaro Martinez and believes the striker ‘still has a lot to give’ in his career.
The 26-year-old Argentinian striker has maintained his impressive form this season, scoring 15 goals and providing two assists across 18 games in Serie A and the Champions League. In the summer, he was promoted to club captain after Samir Handanovic’s retirement.
Lautaro is one of the best centre forwards in Europe and Inter are now planning to offer the Argentine a new long-term contract, protecting their star asset. His current deal expires in June 2026 and is worth around €6m net per season.
Speaking to DAZN via Calciomercato.com, Milito first discussed the growth of Lautaro and his abilities as a star striker.
“We’ve all seen it, we’re talking about a top player. I believe he still has a lot to give, he showed himself as the player he is, and I had no doubts he would reach this level. He knows how to adapt to his teammates. He got along very well with Lukaku and now let’s see with Thuram too.
“I hope they can both score lots of goals. I’m very happy to see him where he is at this moment because I have known him since I was a child. He replaced me at Racing on the day of his debut, it really makes me very happy to see him at this level.
“I am impressed by his mind, his desire to continue growing and achieving goals. These great champions are never satisfied. Last year he reached the final of the Champions League, he won the World Cup and after that World Cup he is doing extraordinary things.
“I see him as mature. The captain’s armband certainly gives you something more, but he feels important in the team and in the club. He plays as we are seeing him, he is the point of reference for this Inter, who can’t do without him.”
The former striker was then asked about the idea of playing alongside the 26-year-old Inter captain.
“I can’t play even 10 minutes anymore… Let’s enjoy champions like Lautaro. We talk, I love him. Especially at the beginning we spoke to each other, he has this great value of knowing how to listen.
“He came from Bahia Blanca, and you could tell that he was a different player and he had this extra, which not everyone at that age has.
“He came to ask me things, he listened to me. At the end of training, he would sit and watch. These are things that aren’t necessarily normal at that age.”
In recent months, Lautaro has attracted the interest of various top clubs around Europe as well as government-backed clubs in Saudi Arabia.