Introduction
Lautaro Javier Martínez is one of the most prominent players in world football today. Born on August 22, 1997, in Bahía Blanca, Argentina, he has become a feared striker known for his strength, skill, and goal-scoring instinct. From his beginnings in local clubs to reaching the pinnacle of European football, Lautaro embodies the tenacity of Argentine athletes. Primarily a center-forward, he can also play in deeper roles, contributing to playmaking. At 28 years old in 2025, he has already won major titles with Inter Milan and the Argentine national team, including continental and world championships. His journey is marked by resilience, from his youth to the global stage. This article explores his life, career, and achievements, with a focus on updates through October 2025.
Early Life and Development
Lautaro Martínez hails from a footballing family. His father was a professional player, which directly influenced his career choice. Growing up in Bahía Blanca, he showed talent on local pitches from a young age. He began at Club Atlético Liniers, shining in the U-17 ranks. In 2013, at 16, he scored 13 goals in the U-17 championship, helping his team reach the National Cup final, though they lost to Rosario on penalties. His performances caught the eye of scouts, and in January 2014, he was signed by Racing Club, one of Argentina’s top clubs.
Adapting to Racing wasn’t easy. Lautaro struggled with homesickness and considered returning to Bahía Blanca, but teammate Braian Mansilla convinced him to stay. In Racing’s reserves, he excelled, scoring 53 goals in 64 matches. In 2015, a deal was struck with Real Madrid for his transfer, but Lautaro chose to remain in Argentina, feeling unready for Europe. This decision reflected his early maturity. He trained rigorously, honing his technique and physical strength, traits that earned him the nickname “El Toro” (The Bull) for his aggressive, relentless style on the pitch.
During this period, Lautaro competed in international youth tournaments, such as the 2016 Alcúdia International Tournament, where he was the top scorer and named the best player, scoring against teams like Qatar, Venezuela, and Spain. These experiences prepared him for professional football, shaping a versatile and determined player.
Club Career
Lautaro’s club career is a story of rapid and consistent ascent. Starting at Racing Club, he rose to prominence in a few years, eventually becoming a captain and leading scorer at Inter Milan.
Racing Club (2015–2018)
Lautaro made his professional debut for Racing on November 1, 2015, coming off the bench in a 3–0 win over Crucero del Norte. His first goal came in November 2016, in a 1–1 draw against Huracán. With an injury to star striker Lisandro López, he gained more opportunities in the 2016–17 season, scoring 9 goals in 23 league matches.
In the 2017–18 season, Lautaro shone brighter, scoring 13 goals in the league and drawing international attention. In February 2018, he scored his first professional hat-trick in a 4–0 win over Huracán. Days later, he repeated the feat in the Copa Libertadores, netting three goals in a 4–2 victory against Cruzeiro. These performances attracted interest from European clubs like Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan. Despite a medical with Atlético, Racing extended his contract and raised his release clause. In May 2018, his transfer to Inter was confirmed for approximately €22.7 million, though he stayed on loan at Racing until the end of the year to compete in the Libertadores. At Racing, he played 62 matches and scored 27 goals, leaving a lasting legacy.
Inter Milan (2018–Present)
Lautaro joined Inter in July 2018, signing a five-year contract. His official debut came in August, in a 1–0 loss to Sassuolo in Serie A. His first goal followed in September, in a 2–0 win over Cagliari. In the 2018–19 season, he scored 9 goals in 35 matches, including one in the Europa League against Rapid Vienna. He stood out in the Derby della Madonnina, scoring and assisting in a 3–2 win over Milan.
In the following seasons, Lautaro formed a lethal partnership with Romelu Lukaku. In 2019–20, he scored 21 goals in 49 matches, including one in the Champions League against Barcelona and two in the Europa League semifinal against Shakhtar Donetsk. Inter reached the Europa League final but lost to Sevilla. In 2020–21, he helped win the Serie A title, scoring 19 goals in 48 matches.
In 2021–22, Lautaro scored 25 goals in 49 matches, including in the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana. He became captain after Samir Handanović’s retirement. In 2022–23, he scored 28 goals in 57 matches, contributing to Coppa Italia and Supercoppa titles, and reaching the Champions League final, lost to Manchester City.
His peak came in 2023–24, when he was Serie A’s top scorer with 24 goals, named the league’s best player, and helped win another Serie A title. In September 2023, he scored four goals off the bench in a 4–0 win over Salernitana, a Serie A record. In February 2024, he reached 100 league goals for Inter.
In 2024–25, Lautaro continued his form, scoring 24 goals in 53 matches, including in the Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup. In January 2025, he scored a hat-trick in the Champions League against Monaco. In April, he netted his 150th goal for Inter in a draw against Bayern Munich. He helped Inter reach the 2025 Champions League final. As of October 2025, he has 342 matches and 158 goals for Inter, making him the club’s fifth-highest scorer.
International Career
Lautaro has represented Argentina from youth levels to the senior team, where he has won world titles.
Youth Teams
In 2017, Lautaro played in the South American U-20 Championship, scoring 5 goals and helping Argentina qualify for the U-20 World Cup. In the World Cup, he was sent off in the opener against England but scored twice against Guinea. Argentina was eliminated in the group stage. Overall, he played 11 matches and scored 7 goals for the U-20 team.
Senior Team
Lautaro debuted for the senior team in March 2018, in a 6–1 loss to Spain. His first goal came in October 2018 against Iraq. He was cut from the 2018 World Cup squad but shone in the 2019 Copa América, scoring against Qatar and Venezuela, and was named man of the match in the quarterfinals.
In September 2019, he scored a hat-trick in a friendly against Mexico. In the 2021 Copa América, he scored crucial goals, including in the semifinal against Colombia, helping Argentina win the title. In 2022, he won the Finalissima against Italy, scoring and assisting.
Despite an ankle injury in the 2022 World Cup, he contributed to Argentina’s victory, converting a penalty in the quarterfinals against the Netherlands and playing in the final against France, won on penalties.
In the 2024 Copa América, Lautaro was the top scorer with 5 goals, including the title-winning goal in the 112th minute of extra time against Colombia. As of October 2025, he has 74 matches and 35 goals for Argentina, tying Hernán Crespo as one of the nation’s top scorers.
Playing Style
Lautaro is a complete forward. Despite his 1.74m (5’9″) height, he excels in the air and is skilled at dribbling. His speed and positioning make him a natural goal-scorer. He also contributes defensively with strong pressing and marking. Influenced by Radamel Falcao, he plays as a center-forward or second striker, creating chances for teammates. Critics praise his penalty-taking accuracy and winning mentality. Coaches like Mauricio Pochettino consider him among the best of his generation, comparable to Sergio Agüero.
Personal Life
Since 2016, Lautaro has been with Agustina Gandolfo, an Argentine entrepreneur and fitness trainer. They married in May 2023 in a ceremony at Lake Como, Italy. The couple keeps a low profile, focusing on family and well-being.
Achievements and Awards
With Inter: Two Serie A titles (2020–21, 2023–24), two Coppa Italia titles (2021–22, 2022–23), three Supercoppa Italiana titles (2022, 2023, 2024). Runner-up in Europa League (2020) and Champions League (2023, 2025).
With Argentina: World Cup (2022), two Copa América titles (2021, 2024 – top scorer in 2024), Finalissima (2022).
Individual: Serie A Best Player and Top Scorer (2023–24), Europa League Team of the Season (2019–20), Argentine Superliga Best Player (2018), among others.
Recent Updates (2025)
In October 2025, Lautaro remains in top form. On October 15, he scored twice in Argentina’s 6–0 friendly win over Puerto Rico, reaching 35 goals for the national team, tying Hernán Crespo. At Inter, he may be rested for some matches to maintain fitness. He recently scored in Serie A and Champions League games, including a January hat-trick against Monaco. He is a contender for awards like the 2024 Golden Foot. As Inter’s captain, he is a key figure for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Statistics
As of October 2025, Lautaro has 404 club matches and 185 goals. For Argentina, he has 74 matches and 35 goals. His stats reflect consistency, with a goal-per-game ratio above 0.45.