Lautaro, a Captain's heart: a journey through history

Another impressive season, another trophy lifted to the air with the captain's armband: Lautaro Martínez continues to write unforgettable pages in the Inter history books, a Story that has earned the right to be amongst the most impressive of those who have worn the Inter shirt.

El Toro has been the beacon of this Nerazzurri side, a role model and leader of a dressing room that could always look to its Captain in moments of difficulty. A kind word for everyone, a piece of advice for a younger teammate, but also the ability to keep the whole group's intensity at its peak. Direct, even cutting when the situation called for it, but always and only with a single objective in mind, the one he has consistently underlined in every interview and public statement:

Ever upward, always higher, with ambition and self-belief. The very same qualities that drive Lautaro every day and that the Captain brings to the pitch in every touch of the ball. Since his arrival in 2018, El Toro has always stood out for his hunger, determination and garra: every match played giving absolutely everything he has, every duel approached as though it were his last.

It was no different in the 2025/26 season: a year of fresh starts, a year of change that was also meant to represent a rebirth. A resolve that was evident from the very first match, with Lautaro scoring a goal by pressing Torino's defensive build-up. It was a symbolic strike, one that demonstrated his relentless will to fight, celebrated with raw, furious emotion standing on the advertising hoardings: an image that has by now become inseparable from Lautaro's Inter career, whether it be a Champions League semi-final or the opening day of the league season. A roar that is a rallying cry for an entire fanbase: because when Lautaro scores at San Siro, the vibration that shakes the Meazza is unlike any other.

Lautaro steers the Inter ship through every storm, repelling every obstacle: overcoming every difficulty. A journey made up of goals, but above all, of extraordinary performances: an unstoppable path that flies straight towards the 21st Scudetto, while passing through the history and the eras of the Nerazzurri. The first part of El Toro's season allowed us to leaf through the album of Interista memories in a wonderful ascent. On 4 October, Lautaro scored against Cremonese at San Siro and reached 158 goals with Inter: the same tally as Luigi Cevenini, fifth in the all-time top scorers' rankings in Inter's history. Zizì is just the first of the Nerazzurri monuments alongside whom the Captain finds himself, with respect and humility, during the first half of the season: on 9 November, a wonderful finish against Lazio from out wide brings El Toro to 161, level with Sandro Mazzola. Fourth place, a dream in his heart and an objective that begins to feel within reach: the third step of the podium.

In un campionato dove gli attaccanti hanno faticato a segnare Lautaro Martinez è la principale eccezione: dopo un inizio positivo tra novembre e febbraio il Toro diventa decisivo nel trascinare l'Inter in vetta alla classifica. Pisa, Como, Genoa, Atalanta, Bologna: tra la fine del 2025 e l'inizio del 2026 l'Inter cambia marcia anche grazie alle reti del suo Capitano, a segno in cinque partite consecutive con sei gol totali. La squadra di Chivu conquista la vetta per non lasciarla più.

Gol spettacolari, importanti, segnati in ogni modo: di destro, di sinistro, di testa, lottando in area oppure con il classico gol alla Lautaro, tagliando con decisione sul primo palo per staccarsi dalla marcatura del difensore, vero e proprio marchio di fabbrica del centravanti argentino.

Six goals in five consecutive matches, four in four successive games between January and February during the period in which Inter began to open up the decisive gap in the title race. A crucial goal away at Udinese, a header of extraordinary power to spark the comeback against Pisa, the goal that broke the deadlock in Cremona. Right through to the away fixture in Reggio Emilia against Sassuolo: the date with history was 8 February, 2026. Inter were winning 2-0 away at the Neroverdi: the minute was the 50th. From a throw-in into the box, the ball reached Lautaro, who controlled and drove it across goal with his left foot, leaving Muric helpless: in that moment, there was the weight of history and the effortless touch of an artist who knows his craft. 171 goals in Nerazzurri colours, level with Roberto Boninsegna: the Captain had become the third-highest scorer in Inter's history.

This incredible journey suffered a setback due to an unfortunate evening in Norway. Away at Bodø/Glimt, Lautaro picked up an injury and was forced to stop. But the Captain fought as hard as ever, if not harder: he worked tirelessly, tried to shorten his recovery time, did everything in his power to get back on the pitch as soon as possible. In March, he watched Inter's difficulties from afar, champing at the bit and roaring like a caged lion, unable to make his contribution. A Lenten absence lasting 46 days that came to an end on Easter Sunday itself, when Inter faced Roma at San Siro. It took Lautaro just 60 seconds to remind everybody of his worth and that of the entire Inter side: the goal shook San Siro and sent every Inter supporter into raptures. Something had changed: El Toro scored a brace, Inter won 5-2 and once again emphatically reaffirmed their superiority in this title race.

Another knock kept him away from the pitch once more, but not from the team: the Captain took his place on the bench for the away fixtures at Como and Torino. He couldn't bring himself to miss the final stages of the journey, leaving his teammates at the crucial moment. The goals and victories came: only the last step remained. A step that Lautaro took personally during Inter vs Parma, when he came on in the 67th minute. Barella handed him the captain's armband as a mark of respect, and Lautaro fought with the same hunger and desire to score. A goal that the entire stadium dreamt of, to see him up there again: a goal that never came despite some extraordinary moments, including the assist for Mkhitaryan's 2-0 that set off the Inter celebrations in the stands and on the pitch. The decisive pass told us everything about who Lautaro Martínez is: a man who puts the good of the team first, a Captain who plays for Inter and for his supporters, the Nerazzurri faithful who have always stood by him.

Heart and soul of Inter, the symbol of a team that found a way to rise again and now celebrates the 21st Scudetto of its glorious history: a history that now welcomes Lautaro among its most beloved sons, a three-time Italian Champion, twice as Captain.