From one Captain to another: Lautaro reaches Mazzola with 161 goals

Lautaro Martinez has made it into Inter’s history books once again. It wasn’t long ago that Lautaro reached Luigi Cevenini in fifth place on the Club’s all-time top scorers list, but he will be celebrating again as he reaches another milestone. His goal against Cremonese reminded us of Zizì’s story, and now thanks to his latest goal against Lazio El Toro has climbed another place. Alongside him on fourth place on the list, isn’t just anyone, it’s the legendary Sandro Mazzola, who scored 161 goals for Inter (although some records list 162, counting a goal from the 1971 Trofeo Armando Picchi).

TOP SCORERS IN INTER HISTORY

Updated on 30 November 2025

Inter and Mazzola are practically synonymous. The story of Sandro Mazzola, born in Turin on November 8, 1942, is closely intertwined with that of the Club, from the moment he joined the youth team as a young boy. His success in football seemed to ease the pain of the tragic loss of his father Valentino, when he was just seven years old. His father was the captain and star of the Grande Torino, who lost his life with his teammates in the Superga air disaster.

Sandro grew up living and breathing Inter. Some of the Club’s greatest figures like Benito Lorenzi and Giuseppe Meazza guided him in the youth teams and became his role models. By that time, it had been a while since he played at the San Lorenzo oratory, even kicking the ball about with Adriano Celentano. Adapting wasn’t easy for Sandro at first, especially in 1960 when a foreign coach arrived with fresh and innovative ideas. Helenio Herrera asked the young Mazzola to play as a number 8, in attack, a move that would forever change the course of his career.

He made his Serie A debut at just 18 years old, on June 10, 1961, in a match that would become legendary in Nerazzurri history. Inter faced Juventus away, and Angelo Moratti decided to play the Primavera team as a form of protest. That morning, Sandro had an exam at school, and in the afternoon, he found himself making his first appearance for Inter. The match ended 9-1 to Juventus, but that sole Inter goal came from Mazzola. The making of a legend had begun.

From that point on, he embarked on a special and unforgettable journey: the birth of the Grande Inter that would dominate world football for years thanks to its flawless organisation and technique. The lineup became an actual chant: Sarti, Burgnich, Facchetti… and then Mazzola, the eighth name. He was the boy capable of breaking down the opposition’s defence with his unconventional position.

Sandro won it all, including four Scudetti in 1963, 1965, 1966 and 1971. Each one meant something different for the team. The first signalled the start of a golden era, the second came alongside the European Cup, the third gave Inter their first star, and the fourth came after an extraordinary comeback, with Mazzola as captain. Success followed across Europe and the rest of the world. The team won two European Cups against Real Madrid and Benfica, and two Intercontinental Cups after epic battles against Argentina’s Independiente.

One these triumphs, however, saw Mazzola as the undisputed key player. On May 27, 1964, Inter faced Real Madrid in the European Cup final at the Prater Stadium in Vienna. Mazzola was just 21 years old when he faced the greatest champions of the era. He seemed frozen in the tunnel, standing in front of his idol, Alfredo Di Stéfano. It was Luis Suárez who gave him the boost he needed: “We’re going to play the final. What are you going to do, stay here and watch Alfredo?” And he played. Mazzola scored two brilliant goals, and along with Aurelio Milani’s strike, they carried Inter to European victory. The match was full of unforgettable moments: Real’s captain Paco Gento greeting him before the game, and FerencPuskás’s tribute after the final whistle, when the Hungarian legend gave Mazzola his shirt, telling him he had lived up to his father’s legacy. That was one of the most emotional moments in Mazzola’s life.

Inter has been a constant guide in Sandro’s life. He made 565 appearances and is the Club’s fourth-most capped player in history. Beyond the eight trophies he won with Inter, he also played in two more European Cup finals for the club. With the Italian national team, he won the 1968 European Championship and won silver at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. Sandro was also nominated for the Ballon d’Or nine times, a record for Inter players, finishing second behind Johan Cruyff in 1971.

“Inter gave me a priceless opportunity - to become someone after my father was gone. Being a part of the Nerazzurri is something that never leaves you.” Sandro Mazzola more than fulfilled that opportunity, because for Inter, he was never just ‘someone’.

Sandro will be happy again, because Lautaro Martinez, the player he first met in Appiano Gentile in the spring of 2024, has caught up with him with 161 goals for Inter. The story comes full circle, from one captain to another, in true Inter fashion.