Lautaro recalls the Scudetto: "We said to each other: Let's go get it!"

MILAN - He has been one of the absolute key figures of the Scudetto. In his third season at Inter, Lautaro Martinez has made his presence felt more and more times during this triumphant season for the Nerazzurri. 36 league appearances, 16 goals, five assists. A "raging bull": he has refined his understanding with Lukaku more and more, and even in matches when he hasn’t scored he has performed excellently, always finding himself at the heart of the team’s play.

Lautaro gave a long interview to "23", a Sky Sport broadcast.

What has been the best and most exciting thing about this Scudetto triumph?

“The best and most exciting thing about this Scudetto triumph is the fact that we hold such a large points advantage over second place: this means we’ve done an excellent job. Then, after so many years, seeing everyone before the game against Sampdoria and after Atalanta vs. Sassuolo was very emotional because the fans wanted it so much and we managed to do it.”

What did you feel when you saw the fans waiting for you all when you arrived at the stadium after a year of matches behind closed doors?

“We’re missing the crowd so much because they drive you on, it’s more enjoyable playing with fans in the stadium. That arrival in the team bus was wonderful, it reminded me of and was similar to some of the emotions I experienced in Argentina.”

How difficult was it to get used to playing without a crowd?

At the end of last season, we played a lot of games without any spectators towards the end of the season. Then, there was the Europa League final, so we got used to fans being absent. However, the atmosphere is obviously very different when supporters are there, we hope they’ll be back as soon as possible.”

How did your understanding with Lukaku come about and then grow?

"It's a rapport we’ve been building from the first day he arrived: we talked a lot because he always used to watch Inter’s matches. During our first training session together, we talked for 2-3 hours: Romelu also speaks Spanish, so we understood each other immediately. Then, there’s the daily work we do with the Coach and Alexis because, as I always say, it’s as if there’s always a competition between the three of us. We always try to give our best in every session.”

Has the competition for places always provided you all with motivation?

“Yes, but this doesn’t just apply to the strikers. This year, everyone has made a leap in quality and taken another step forward. This is important for Inter’s growth and also that of the group. As previously mentioned, it’s important to have won the Scudetto with such a big points advantage  over second: it means that Inter did well.”

How much have you been enriched by your daughter’s birth both on and off the pitch? "A lot. She’s given me a little more peace of mind. It’s the greatest thing that can happen to a person, and her birth has come at the same time as our Scudetto triumph, so I have to thank her and my wife. I’m delighted with everything that’s happened. She’s given me a lot of strength.”

If you were to show her a certain moment or goal from this Scudetto-winning season in a few years’ time, what would it be?

“My headed goal away to Torino was important due to the situation we were in and how the game was going. It came late in the match and I liked how I scored it, perhaps I’ll show her that one.”

There haven’t been a lot of squad changes in Serie A this year. Have Inter become more aware of their capabilities?

“When we were eliminated from the Champions League, we engaged in a lot of discussions. There was then only one objective for us – the league – and we needed to go for it, we’ve worked so hard. We train every day thinking about what we need to do, and we watch matches too. I think that this has been important because we’re now very happy.”

How happy are you all feeling knowing you’ll be returning to Juventus’ stadium as the Champions of Italy?

"A lot, it’ll be important to play that game with Inter’s 19th Scudetto already in the bag because they’d won it for nine consecutive years and we’d gone without success for eleven seasons. After our defeat in the Europa League, we needed to win something, and we managed to become Italian Champions.

You began your Inter journey under Spalletti, and then you improved even more under Conte. How important have these two coaches been?

“I’ve played a lot this season and haven’t missed a match, so this means that I’ve done an important job this year with the help of the Coach, the staff and my teammates. Everything’s come along step by step. In my first six months, I had to settle in and didn’t play a lot. However, this was to be expected because I’d just joined a new league in a new country with a different language. I had to understand how football is played here and get to know my teammates. Thanks to the Coach, I’ve grown a lot in terms of the defensive and tactical sides of things too. I have to thank everyone.”

What kind of relationship do you have with Icardi? "We’ve spoken, he was very happy. He lent me a huge hand when I first arrived here: he helped me with the language and other things too, including fitting in inside the changing room. All I can do is thank him.”

What role has Milito played? You’re the first Argentine to experience trophy success with Inter since he was at the Club…

“He achieved something very important: he won the Treble and absolutely everything. He joined Racing around the same time as I did, I then made my debut in 2015. I have a great relationship with him: he calls me when things aren’t going well and gives me advice. He tells me his opinions, so I’d like to thank him a lot.”

Which celebration do you particularly like?

“With Hakimi, the team are celebrating in many different ways: there’s something new every game. With Romelu, we’ve stuck to the same celebration. We spoke one time and this is how it panned out because of the video game we play. I like all of them though because it’s always nice when you score.”

What is your best quality? "I don’t know, I feel like I’m strong mentally because, from a young age, I learnt to be tough, to keep looking forward, to hang in there if things go badly, to improve every day, and to focus on working hard and giving my all.”

Has basketball played a role in your development, perhaps in terms of jumping and heading?

“That could be the case. My brother plays basketball, and we play it every time we see each other because it’s a sport that we both like. It may well be the case that my jumping ability is a result of this.”

We’re currently undergoing a generational change. In your opinion, who’s the strongest player? Do you think about reaching the highest levels, winning the Ballon d'Or, being the number one in the world? “That’s the dream for every player, just like winning the World Cup with your country or becoming World Champions with your club are dreams too. It’s only right to have them and objectives too. Having a goal to achieve pushes you to grow and improve. I try to give my all every single day, do what the Coach tells me to do and help my teammates win. For me, this is the most important thing. Then, everything that you achieve on a personal level is a natural consequence.”

Who is the defender that has caused you the most problems? "When I think of strong defenders, de Vrij and Skriniar, who we face in training, spring to mind. In terms of opponents, I’d say Koulibaly. He’s strong, tall and fast.”

What do you have to say on rumours about your future? "I’m happy to be here at Inter. The Club had gone many years without trophy success, and now we’re experiencing an incredible moment. I’m also very happy to be here with my family. Therefore, I can’t imagine being anywhere but here.”

If the pandemic hadn’t hit, might you have left Inter?

“I’ve already said that I was close to signing for Barcelona. I spoke to Messi and then made the choice to stay here. It wasn’t the wrong one.”

Who was your idol growing up?

“Falcao is a striker I always used to watch growing up. Now, I focus on giving my all and observe everyone in order to improve. I also learnt a lot from Diego Milito when I played with him in Argentina. These are things that stay with you and make you grow.”

How much do you want to become a key figure for your National Team too?

“I’m always happy when I’m called up to the National Team because it means I’m doing a good job at Inter and need to carry on in this fashion. It’s been a long time since Argentina won anything, but there’s the Copa América this year. We hope to give it our all and emerge victorious.”

Next year’s objective will be to try to do the same in the league. Then, there’s the Champions League: is a different mental approach required for those matches?

“Yes, your mental approach and remaining focused are vital because one small detail can change a match. We need to be more attentive to that small detail because it can make the difference.”

How did your nickname, El Toro, come about?

"When I arrived at Racing, I had a teammate that told me that I was a bull. It then stuck when I played for the first team and when I joined Inter, who made reference to this when they presented me.”

Your dream? "To win everything possible and to grow on a personal and professional level, also with my family in mind.”

You seem much calmer and more at ease. What has helped you in this regard?

"The birth of my daughter has changed me, I’m happy that she’s with us and my family are doing well. That’s the most important thing.”

Inter’s most important goal this campaign?

“Eriksen’s finish against Crotone which broke the deadlock. Hakimi then sealed the win, but it was the first goal that decided everything.”