In another exciting day of football, Marcus Thuram showcased his talents at Stamford Bridge, mesmerizing fans with a stunning goal. Meanwhile, a bit further south in Italy, Lautaro Martinez was hard at work in Appiano, demonstrating that players can pursue the same ambitions through different paths and choices.
Thuram chose to join Inter Milan a year ago, turning down offers from across Europe, while Martinez recently committed his future to the club by extending his contract until 2029. An official announcement is expected soon, with the financial terms already leaked: a net salary of €9 million plus bonuses. This upgrade makes the captain Inter’s highest-paid player, but what stands out more is Lautaro’s maturity in handling his return to Italy and preparing for the new season.
Reports from Appiano suggest that Lautaro cut his vacation short by two days and returned in great shape—physically better than when he finished the previous season. He opted to stay in Milan for training rather than heading to Stamford Bridge, a move that reflects his commitment to the team. Lautaro personally managed the contract discussions, ensuring everything went smoothly from agreeing to Inter’s numbers to the timing of the announcement. This readiness indicates his determination and he has already assured coach Simone Inzaghi of his availability for the upcoming match against Genoa on Saturday.
Moreover, Lautaro wishes to play the full ninety minutes and has offered himself as much as possible to the coach, while Inzaghi considers various factors for the lineup. Alongside him on the bench will be Mehdi Taremi, allowing for strategic substitutions during the game. What’s clear is that Lautaro is eager to train and keep up with his teammates. The recent impressive performance from Thuram, just days after a less convincing display against Al-Ittihad, shows that with a bit of determination and focused practice, players can quickly elevate their game.
Interestingly, a personalized training regimen has been crafted specifically for Lautaro, which he will follow alongside standard team practices until the end of the month. By then, he will be fully in sync with the squad, having spent an entire month training with Inzaghi.
As the captain gears up for his seventh season with Inter, he has consistently improved, never ending a campaign with fewer goals than the previous year. The challenge ahead is to continue this upward trend. Lautaro serves as a role model for the entire Inter team, which aims to replicate their success and secure a second star on their jersey. Having achieved much with both Argentina and Inter, what remains for Lautaro is the Champions League—the trophy that eluded him two years back. His eye is set on that prize as he looks forward to his contract renewal with Inter. Is he a dreamer? Only time will tell, but Lautaro certainly believes in his journey with the Nerazzurri.