Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez Restates Ballon D’Or Case With Champions League Heroics Vs Bayern Munich – Next Test Barcelona | OneFootball

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has restated his case to win the Ballon D’Or with his heroics in the Champions League this season.

This is the view in today’s print edition of Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport, via FCInterNews.

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez placed seventh in the voting for the Ballon d’Or last year.

The Argentine got his highest ever finish in voting on the back of winning the Serie A title with Inter and the Copa America with Argentina.

There was, however, a sense that Martinez would have deserved for.

The 27-year-old had captained Inter to the Serie A title in dominant fashion. And he had been the division’s top scorer last season.

Meanwhile, Martinez was also the top scorer at the Copa America. He had actually scored the winner in the final against Colombia.

Therefore, it came as a surprise to some that Martinez did not place higher than seventh.

Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez Restating Ballon D’Or Case With Champions League Heroics

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their 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)

One of the reasons commonly cited for Lautaro Martinez not getting closer to winning the Ballon d’Or is that he has not always had a big impact in the Champions League.

That competition is the most high profile for European clubs. And the latter stages of the knockout rounds present the biggest test for players and teams.

Last season, Martinez was among the most notable underperformers for Inter as they crashed out of the round of sixteen against Atletico Madrid.

That was one potential reason for Martinez not being on the podium for the Ballon d’Or.

However, this season has been a very different story. Martinez has been Inter’s star performer, top scorer, and overall driving force in the Champions League.

The Argentine scored in both legs of the quarterfinals against Bayern Munich.

That has certainly changed the perception of Lautaro Martinez.

There is still more work for the Inter captain. The Nerazzurri take on Barcelona in the semifinals in a couple weeks’ time.

If Martinez plays at the level he did against Bayern in that tie, it could go a long way towards establishing him as a true Ballon d’Or candidate.