Lautaro Martinez on Ballon d’Or snub, ‘underestimated’ Inzaghi and Conte | OneFootball

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez admitted he sometimes feels ‘underrated’, especially after finishing seventh in the 2024 Ballon d’Or rankings, and used the same adjective to describe his coach Simone Inzaghi.

Voters snubbed the Argentina international despite his successful season, as he won trophies with both Inter and the national team, also finishing as Serie A top scorer with 24 goals.

epa11479355 Argentina’s Nicolas Tagliafico kisses the trophy after winning the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 final against Colombia, in Miami Gardens, Florida, USA, 14 July 2024. Argentina won 1-0 after a goal by striker Lautaro Martinez in extra time. EPA-EFE/CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

The Nerazzurri striker acknowledged that he ‘learned a lot’ under Antonio Conte, but he feels to have reached an ‘even higher level’ with Inzaghi, explaining what makes him so special and suitable for him.

Lautaro Martinez feels ‘underrated’ and reveals Inzaghi’s secret

Asked to explain the Ballon d’Or verdict in an interview with Corriere Della Sera, Lautaro suggested “there are various aspects, but I believe I had an important year”.

“Not just because I was the top scorer in the Copa America and Serie A, but also for the way I played.”

After making a vital contribution to Inter’s 20th Scudetto, the 27-year-old also scored five goals from six Copa America appearances, with just two starts, helping his side win the competition.

This added to his feeling of being ‘underrated’: “Sometimes yes. But team trophies have a different weight,” he said.

MILAN, ITALY – NOVEMBER 03: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale interacts with Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, as he is substituted off during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Venezia at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on November 03, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

However, Lautaro Martinez also believes he shares such a label with Simone Inzaghi, whose past as a striker allows the Argentine star to work ‘with a clear head and a smile’.

“I think so [that Inzaghi is underrated],” he conceded.

“His secret is that sometimes he still thinks like a player, so he understands us really well and lives things the way we do.

“The luck is double for me because he was a striker, and he knows how to leave me with a clear head and a smile.

“Those are very positive things. I learned a lot from Conte, and I thank him for that. With Inzaghi, I feel like I’ve grown to an even higher level.“