Don’t make Lionel Messi look like a fool! Lautaro Martinez was billed as potential Ballon d’Or winner by his Argentina captain – but patchy Inter form shows he’s miles off challenging Vinicius Junior, Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah & the rest
Lionel Messi’s endorsement of Lautaro Martinez as a potential Ballon d’Or winner highlights the high regard Argentina’s captain has for his compatriot. Martinez, instrumental in Argentina’s Copa America 2021 and World Cup 2022 triumphs, has shown flashes of brilliance at Inter Milan, where he captains the side and has already scored 17 goals this season. However, his inconsistency on the club stage exposes the gap between him and true Ballon d’Or contenders like Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah, and Vinicius Junior.
While Martinez is a complete forward—able to press, link play, and score goals—he often disappears in crucial moments. Inter’s patchy domestic form reflects his uneven contributions, especially in high-stakes matches where the likes of Haaland and Salah thrive. Haaland’s relentless scoring for Manchester City led them to a historic treble, while Salah’s consistency keeps Liverpool competitive at the top level. Vinicius, on the other hand, has evolved into Real Madrid’s talisman, delivering match-winning performances in the Champions League.
What separates these players from Martinez is their ability to perform at the highest level week in, week out. While Martinez’s efforts for Argentina underline his talent and big-game mentality, replicating this consistently for Inter remains a challenge. Until he bridges this gap, the prospect of him challenging for football’s top individual prize remains distant.
Messi’s faith in Martinez reflects his potential, but potential alone doesn’t win Ballon d’Ors. To truly challenge the sport’s elite, Lautaro must elevate his club performances to match his international heroics.
Be the first to comment