Ballon d'Or 2024: Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez denies Lionel Messi chat but admits 'individual awards mean a lot'
Published 21/10/2024 at 11:14 GMT+1
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Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez opened up about his Ballon d’Or chances, having last week been backed by Argentina team-mate and eight-time winner Lionel Messi to claim the award. Martinez helped Inter to their 20th Serie A title last term before inspiring his nation to a second successive Copa America crown. The favourites for this year's prize are Vinicius Jr. and Rodri.
'What a strike' - Martinez riffles ball into the net with thunderous effort
Video credit: TNT Sports
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has spoken about his Ballon d’Or chances, having last week been backed by Lionel Messi to claim the prize.
Martinez has been named among the 30 candidates for this year’s Ballon d’Or, after a season that saw him top Serie A’s scoring charts to help the Nerazzurri to a 20th domestic title, and claim the Copa America Golden Boot as Argentina won their second-successive continental prize.
Speaking last Tuesday, the striker’s international colleague Lionel Messi, who is an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, said, via Gazzetta dello Sport: “[Lautaro] had a spectacular year.
“He scored in the [Copa America] final and was the best scorer. He deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else.”
But when DAZN asked if the Inter star and Messi had a conversation over the international break about the former’s Ballon d’Or chances, Martinez said: “We didn’t talk about this award.
“I was just pleased he was back with us in the Argentina squad. I always work hard to help the team, but individual awards mean a lot too, as they show you are working well.
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Messi has tipped Lautaro to win the Ballon d'Or
Image credit: Getty Images
“I focus on the team first, then if I get an individual award, it is also thanks to my team-mates, the staff and the fans.
“We are a great team, everyone works in their own way to raise the bar.”
Martinez netted his 133rd Inter goal in a 1-0 over Roma on Sunday, equalling the club’s all-time scoring record for a foreign player set, by Istvan Nyers in the 1950s.
Yet the favourites for the Ballon d’Or are Manchester City and Spain midfielder Rodri, as well as Real Madrid’s Vincius Jr.
Brazil icon Neymar has insisted Vinicius should win his maiden Ballon d’Or later this month.
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“We have a wonderful relationship, I love Vini,” Neymar said, as per Mundo Deportivo. “Vini is beyond, and he is a great friend to whom I was introduced by football.
“He had a great season, he certainly played a lot. I certainly will be rooting for him to win the Ballon d’Or, I don’t think there’s anyone else but him to win it.
“Today, he has become a great idol and a great hero for us, so I am very happy, very happy that he’s carrying this Brazilian flag around the world.
“We hope that it comes back to Brazil soon and that it’s now with Vini, a guy who deserves it because he’s a hard worker and has suffered a lot throughout his life, but he’s surpassed all expectations and [coped with] all the criticism.”
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