In response to claims that Lautaro Martinez of Inter Milan has “Lukaku syndrome,” Lionel Messi has defended his Argentina teammate.
The 25-year-old has received the aforementioned jab from Gazzetta dello Sport after another forgettable World Cup performance in which he failed to take advantage of numerous opportunities in a matchup against Australia in the round of 16 of the tournament.
Even though Argentina won 2-1, Lautaro has failed to score in four Qatar appearances and is thought to be fluffing his lines just as badly as club teammate Romelu Lukaku did when Belgium lost in the group stage.
Lionel Messi’s comment
However, Messi is adamant that the forward, who has 21 goals in 44 appearances for his country, will play a crucial part for the Albiceleste, as he explained to TyC Sports.
“Lautaro is a very important player for us, he is a striker who lives by scoring goals. Now it is fundamental that he is well in view of the quarter-final and what still has to happen in this World Cup,” he said.
Lautaro’s club stats this season
With eight goals and six assists in 21 Serie A and Champions League appearances for Inter this season, Lautaro has been in respectable form for his club and will be optimistic that he can rediscover his country’s spark.
Argentina’s next fixture
On Friday, Argentina will play the Netherlands in the round of 16 of the 2022 World Cup. Messi is still on track to win the tournament’s elusive trophy, which would allow him to finally follow in the footsteps of his legendary countryman Diego Maradona.