Zanetti lauds Lautaro Martinez as ‘one of the most important players in the history of Inter’ | OneFootball

Inter legend Javier Zanetti has high praise for Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez as he claims his compatriot is ‘among the greatest’ in the club’s history.

The Inter vice-president spoke to FIFA, via CalcioMercato, ahead of the start of the club’s Club World Cup campaign, with the Nerazzurri due to face Mexican outfit Monterrey in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Zanetti considers Lautaro Martinez ‘one of the greatest’

Speaking about Martinez, Zanetti said that the Argentine is “our point of reference” and that “he is one of the most important players in Inter’s history, I would definitely put him amongst the greatest.”

The former defender also expressed his confidence in new Inter manager Cristian Chivu, saying “We have great faith in Cristian, I know him very well. He was my teammate so I know he is an extraordinary person and I am sure he will do a great job.”

Cristian Chivu Inter press conference during 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

Chivu and Martinez will be hoping for a successful Club World Cup that can give the side confidence heading into next season’s Serie A, after the Nerazzurri so narrowly missed out on the Scudetto to Napoli in the season just finished.