Lautaro Martinez returns to Inter with another landmark behind him and a demanding club decision ahead. Argentina’s captain-in-waiting has moved into third place on his country’s all-time scoring list, but the timing of his final international commitment leaves Cristian Chivu with little room to prepare him for Parma.
The decision
Martinez scored again in the early hours of 4 October in Italy, taking his Argentina total to 42 goals from 86 appearances. It was his fourth goal in his last four outings for the national side, following World Cup matches against Switzerland and England in July, when he struck the winner, and the subsequent friendlies with Bolivia and Burkina Faso.
The Inter forward now sits behind only Lionel Messi, on 125 international goals, and Gabriel Batistuta, who finished on 55. It is another place on a podium for a player who continues to collect them in both colours: with Argentina and at Inter.
There remains an emotional edge to this international period. In Argentina, questions have persisted over Lionel Scaloni’s choice to leave Martinez among the substitutes for the World Cup final against Spain. Argentina lost as Yamal lifted the trophy, while Martinez watched from the bench. His response since then has been familiar: goals.
At club level, he has spoken openly about the records still ahead. Alessandro Altobelli is the next significant Inter scoring target, with Giuseppe Meazza further beyond. “It would be wonderful to reach him, because he represents the history of Inter and Milan,” Martinez said previously of Meazza. For now, the immediate concern is not another record but recovery.
Argentina face Benin in the Italian night between Tuesday and Wednesday, in what will be Martinez’s third and final match on the far side of the Atlantic. The occasion will also serve as a celebration and farewell for Messi. Martinez is therefore unlikely to be back at Appiano Gentile before Thursday, and a Friday return cannot be ruled out.
That schedule means a journey of more than 11,000 kilometres, a time-zone adjustment and barely 48 hours, perhaps less, before Inter resume Serie A against Parma. Chivu and his staff still have several days to settle their plans; their captain will have considerably less training time.
The question is whether Chivu protects Martinez for the Champions League match at San Siro three days after Parma, or asks him to lead the attack immediately. Inter are entering a sequence of seven fixtures in 21 days, making the management of minutes as important as the selection itself.
Sunday’s picture
Martinez has been largely indispensable in the league. His only Serie A bench appearance came against Udinese, when Inter chose to spare him after their Champions League opener. Either side of that match, he played a decisive part in the comeback victories over Napoli and Roma, teams coached by Massimiliano Allegri and Gian Piero Gasperini respectively.
His importance is not limited to finishing. As captain, he carries technical weight and sets a psychological tone for the side. The Parma meeting also brings favourable memories: last season’s fixture was Inter’s Scudetto-clinching match.
Martinez’s own preference is rarely difficult to read. He would play whenever asked, and he may make himself available again despite the travel. Chivu, however, has alternatives who will arrive in better condition: Marcus Thuram is in strong form, while Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny will be fresher.
The captain’s return from Argentina will therefore frame Inter’s first selection call of the new stretch. The goals have followed him across the international break; Chivu must decide how soon to put them back at the centre of Inter’s season.
