Inter Milan Captain Fired Up For Return From International Break After Argentina Heroics – Ex West Ham United Veteran Also Ready To Chip In | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez is fired up to make his return for Inter Milan after equalling the record of Diego Maradona for Argentina during the break.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They also note that Marko Arnautovic is ready to make his contribution.

Inter captain Martinez has certainly had a memorable international break.

The 27-year-old started for Argentina in a World Cup qualifier against Peru this week.

And Martinez continued his habit of scoring important goals for the Albiceleste. It was his strike which unlocked the match, ending in a 1-0 win over struggling Peru.

This goal allowed Argentina to stretch their lead at the top of CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. They continue their dominant run, as holders of the World Cup and Copa America.

And it was an especially memorable goal for Martinez for a couple other reasons.

Firstly, there is the fact that it was an acrobatic overhead kick from the Inter captain.

And then there is what the goal represents statistically. The strike against Peru was Martinez’s 32nd goal in a senior Argentina shirt.

That means that the Nerazzurri captain has drawn level with the iconic Diego Armando Maradona in the scoring charts for his national team.

Lautaro Martinez Fired Up For Inter Return After Equalling Maradona Record

Now it’s time for Martinez to shift his focus to his club, however.

The 27-year-old is Inter’s captain. And for the next few months he will have to lead the team through an intense campaign between Serie A, the Champions League, and the domestic cups.

Starting with Saturday’s Serie A clash with Hellas Verona.

In truth, Martinez has not enjoyed the strongest of seasons so far with Inter.

The Argentine has been Inter’s top scorer in each of the last three seasons. Last time around he was the top scorer for all of Serie A.

This season Martinez had a slow start to the campaign.

The reason for this was at least partly a lack of physical condition after a short preseason following the Copa America.

But there have been signs of Martinez returning to his best. His goal against Peru was the latest big one.

And over the next few months, Martinez is full of motivation and enthusiasm to get back to scoring goals – and helping the team in other ways – with many matches on the way.

But it won’t just be the captain, notes the Gazzetta.

Austrian former West Ham United and Stoke City striker Marko Arnautovic is also ready to make his contribution.