Baggio played for the best clubs in his country from Fiorentina, Juventus, AC Milan, and Inter Milan. At the tail end of his great career, he had memorable campaigns with Bologna and Brescia before retiring in 2004. Baggio also had a great career for the Italian national team, scoring 27 goals in 56 caps.

To many Roberto Baggio is one of the most elegant and explosive players Italy has ever produced. At Inter Milan, Baggio played only two seasons and was inexplicably used as a sub role, still he scored 17 goals in 59 games for the black and blue. In a conference Baggio pointed out as to which Inter Milan player, he likes most at the moment.

Roberto Baggio on Lautaro Martínez

In speaking at a conference Baggio put his eye on the Argentine international and stated, “A player that I like and surprises me? Lautaro Martínez. I had already seen him in Racing, an 18-year-old boy who scored 3 goals in the Copa Libertadores.

“When they ask him after the game about staying out of the World Cup (2018), he said that he is happy with what he had done, that he wished the National Team the best, and that he would have time to get there… a special mentality.

“He is truly the symbol of Inter. In addition to scoring goals, he also defends. He is an extraordinary player.“

Lautaro Martínez at Inter Milan

Since his move to Inter Milan from Racing in 2018, Lautaro Martínez has played in 248 games and has scored 113 goals in six seasons. In the current Serie A season, the Argentine has 10 goals in 8 league games.

Tempted to join various teams in the Premier League, Lautaro Martínez has pledged his allegiance to Inter Milan and has a contract until June of 2026. Lautaro Martínez was highly sought after by Tottenham and Arsenal.

Nevertheless, working through pain for a speedy recovery, Lautaro Martinez left his mark with the decisive penalty to eliminate the Netherlands during the quarterfinals and with the shot which helped Lionel Messi to score the 3-2 in the final against France.

Now, still processing such an amazing achievement, Lautaro Martinez sent a subtle message to all those who criticized Argentina and their triumph in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

Lautaro Martinez defends Argentina with a message for France and the Netherlands

In the last few weeks, Argentina have been criticized for many reasons surrounding the World Cup. During the tournament, Portuguese players like Pepe said the competition was rigged. Furthermore, thousands of fans in the Netherlands and France believed the referees did a terrible job in favor of the South American squad.

Of course, it’s impossible to forget that penalty shoot-out in the quarterfinals where the players from the Netherlands severelycriticized Dibu Martinez’s ‘tactics’ to distract them as goalkeeper. Lautaro Martinez took notice of all that and had a strong response to them in an interview with ESPN Argentina.

“The situation with the Netherlands was mainly because of all what they said prior to the match. It was a lot of talking. After that, we only did our game. We never spoke about the Dutch players as they spoke about us. They just talked about us. Thatwas annoying too, but it happens. It wasn’t important for us on the field. In the penalty kicks, there was always someone of them bothering our players. That’s why we reacted like that. I’m sure a lot of people are really upset with Argentina being World Champion.”

Julian Alvareztook the starting job and Lautaro Martinez became a substitute in the knockout stages. However, Martinez was crucial for Argentina in the quarterfinals by scoring the decisive penalty to eliminate the Netherlands. Then, in the extra time of the final against France, his shot saved by Hugo Lloris left Lionel Messi alone to make the 3-2.

Now, in a very shockingstatement, Lautaro Martinez revealed an unexpectedepisode which happened in the locker room. The exact moment when Argentina knew they would win the World Cup. It wasn’t Mexico and it wasn’t the elimination of Brazil.

Lautaro Martinez reveals the moment when Argentina knew they would win the World Cup

A few days ago, Papu Gomez admitted that Argentina knew they would win the Qatar 2022 World Cup when Brazil were eliminated by Croatia in a thrilling match of the quarterfinals. However, during an interview with ESPN Argentina, Lautaro Martinez confessed that the team knew it way before that. The moment is a total surprise.

“I knew it when we lost against Saudi Arabia. I believe that game was crucial for us, because the fact of losing produced a sudden click in the locker room for the team and everyone who was inside that bubble. From that moment on, there were six finals for us and that’s when we saw a different Argentina. We wanted to be protagonists.”

Thousands of fans in Argentina believed that the players convinced themselves that the trophy was within reach only duringthe knockout stages. Nevertheless, Lautaro Martinez spoke loud and clear. The match with Saudi Arabia ignited an unstoppable reaction.

“The game with Saudi Arabia was a very hard hit. We needed to win the next six games or we go home. That was the mindset the next day during our training session. Those days were the key factor to become world champions. We knew the opportunity we lost in the opener. That changed everything for us.”

For France it has been business as usual, with a side that has been both professional and attractive on the field. Didier Deschamps side defeated darlings Morocco to make it to the final but also knocked out a highly competitive England squad.

For Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez the World Cup has seen him go from starter to bench player, find out why Lautaro Martinez is not starting against France in the FIFA World Cup final.

Why is Lautaro Martinez not starting in the World Cup final?

Lautaro Martinez had been the preferred striker for Lionel Scaloni during the qualification phase and in the first few matches at the World Cup, but the emergence of Julián Álvarez during his time at Manchester City and on the national team has made Lionel Scaloni think twice.

Julián Álvarez has four goals in the FIFA World Cup and has played very well linking up with Enzo Fernandez and Lionel Messi and seems better suited to Scaloni ‘s style. Look for Martinez to come off the bench in case he is needed by the Argentina manager.

Argentina ‘s starting XI against France in the World Cup final will be: Martínez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, Acuña; De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Mac Allister, Di Maria; Messi and Álvarez.

Argentina and Croatia also met in France 1998 and the record is 1-1-0 between the two sides with the semifinal being the decider at least at the World Cup level. Argentina has a stat that favors them which is they have never lost a semifinal match at the FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Scaloni has released his starting lineup and not included is Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez, here is the reason why Martinez is not in the starting XI.

Why is Lautaro Martinez not in the starting XI against Croatia?

Lautaro Martinez had been the preferred striker for Lionel Scaloni during qualification phase and in the first few matches at the World Cup, but the emergence of Julián Álvarez during his time at Manchester City and on the national team has made Lionel Scaloni think twice.

Julián Álvarez has played very well linking up with Enzo Fernandez and Lionel Messi and seems better suited to Scaloni ‘s style. Look for Martinez to come off the bench in case he is needed by the Argentina manager.

The winner of the match between Argentina and Croatia will play the World Cup final on Sunday against the winner of France – Morocco.

Argentina has two major wins over the Dutch, one their 1978 championship victory and the semifinal penalty kick shootout win in 2014. The Netherlands defeated Argentina in 1998 in historic fashion with a stoppage time winner knocking them out in the quarterfinals. For Argentina since their loss to Uruguay in the 1930 final, La Albiceleste have been eliminated by a European team in every World Cup they did not win. The Netherlands have won in their last three quarterfinal matches at the World Cup, 1998, 2010, and 2014.

One of the main strikers for Argentina will once again be on the bench, find out why Lautaro Martinez is not starting for Argentina against the Netherlands.

Why is Lautaro Martinez benched?

Lautaro Martinez has been the preferred striker for Lionel Scaloni during qualification and the first few matches at the World Cup, but the emergence of Julián Álvarez during his time at Manchester City and on the national team has made Lionel Scaloni think twice.

Martinez does have 21 goals in 44 games for Argentina but is shooting blanks at the World Cup. While Álvarez has two critical goals for Argentina so far in the tournament.

It should also be noted that it would seem that Lionel Messi and Julian Álvarez have a better understanding of each other on the field.

Argentina were surprised 2-1 in the opener by Saudi Arabiaand saw brokentheir amazing36-gameunbeatenstreak. Nevertheless, the famous Albicelestequickly bounced back with victories against Mexico (2-0) and Poland (2-0).

Now, the two-time World Champions (1978, 1986) are just four victories away from the title in the last opportunity for Lionel Messito collect the only trophy he’s been missing. Lautaro Martinez was supposedly one of the best players to help him, but the striker won’t be starting against Australia in the Round of 16.

Why is Lautaro Martineznot playing in Argentinavs Australia?

Lautaro Martinez started in the first two games of Argentina in the Qatar 2022 World Cup: Saudi Arabia and Mexico. Then, in the last match against Poland, he was replaced by Julian Alvarez who scored an amazing goal and is living a great moment with Manchester City in the Premier League.

So, for this Round of 16 matchup against Australia, coach Lionel Scaloni repeats the formula.Julian Alvarez as the attacking partner for Lionel Messi. However, as it happened in the game with Poland, Lautaro Martinez is available to come from the bench in any situation.

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La Albiceleste arrive in the group stage finale in control of their own destiny. With a triumph over Robert Lewandowski‘s side, Argentina would seal a place in the round of 16. If they don’t beat Poland, the outlook would be more complicated.

Therefore, we’re talking abouta must-win match for the reigning Copa America champions. That is also why Martinez’s absence in the starting elevenit may take many by surprise.

Why is Lautaro Martinez not starting for Argentina against Poland

Considering that he doesn’t have any injury, Lautaro Martinez is not starting for Argentina due to a tactical reason, as Scaloni preferred Julian Alvarez for this game. This will be the first World Cup start for the Man City sensation.

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It seemed like it was going to be a long and winding game for the Middle Easterns, who struggled in open space and failed to contain Argentina’s speedsters. Nonetheless, they managed to keep the score at just 1-0 after 45 mins.

However, things could’ve gone way worse for the Saudis, as VAR overruled not one, not two, but three seemingly-legit Argentina goals due to offside. Needless to say, people had plenty to say about that.

Qatar 2022: VAR Wipes Away 3 Argentina Goals In First Half Vs. Saudi Arabia – Funniest Memes And Reactions

At the end of the day, all three goals were correctly overruled. However, that didn’t stop people from reigniting that never-ending controversy between modern soccer and the pre-VAR and technology era.

Still, Scaloni’s team will have 45 more minutes to prove what they’re capable of, and VAR can only keep this score tight for so much, so Saudi Arabia better make some adjustments if they don’t want to suffer a humiliating defeat.

He has great control of the ball and a strong finishing touch, making him a technically proficient striker.In July 2018, Lautaromoved from Racing Club to Inter. Since then, he has only improved, becoming an integral part of the Serie A powerhouses’ success. Concurrently, the player has established himself as one of Europe’s top scorers.

The 25-year-old’s career has been marked by more than just technical prowess and brilliance on the field; he has also brought home a plethora of hardware.His goalscoring prowess and ability to help the Nerazzurrilift the Serie A title last season piqued the curiosity of other top teams in Europe.

Lautaro Martinez’s contract with Inter

Lautaro signed a contract extension in October 2021, which will last until June 2026. His brand-new dealdoes not have a buyout clause. The old deal included a buyout clause at €111 million, but the club hadprotected themselves from potential suitors this time, Forbes claim.

How much does Lautaro Martinez make a week?

His new contract guarantees him a €6 millionnet(€11 million gross)yearly income until the year 2026. The new agreement makes Lautaro Inter’s highest-paid player, a substantial increase from his previous annual salary of €2.9 million.

Taking this account, the Argentine star would earn about€916,000permonth or €213,000a week. That would make it nearly€42,000a day,or around€5,200per hour or€86per minute.

While the Rosario-born winger startedto establish himself in the starting lineup of Barcelona, he also became an untouchable player in La Albiceleste. Eventually, Messi wasgiven the emblematic No. 10 shirt—both in Barcaand in the national team, just like DiegoMaradona.

Though he played with other superstars, no other Argentine playercame close to what Messi represented in the modern era. Widely regarded the world’s best player for many years, it was not a surprise to see his market value was higher than everyone else’s. But things may have changed now that he’s 35, despite he continues to be the best in his country.

Lionel Messi is no longer the Argentine player with the highest market value

As a player gets older, his market value will probably decrease. Messi has not been the exception to that rule, and his poor first season with Paris Saint-Germain may have not helped him either.

According to Transfermarkt, Messi is no longer the most valuable player in the Argentina national team. Right now, it’s Inter Milan strikerLautaro Martinez who has the highest market value in Lionel Scaloni‘s squad.

It makes sense from a financial point of view, Lautaro is ten years younger than Leo —Martinez turns 25 in August. However, that doesn’t suggest that he’s better. If you ask who is the best player in Argentina, most will agree that continues to be Leo, regardless of his market value.

Top 10 most valuable players in theArgentina national team

Despite he is not atop the list anymore, Messi is still more valuable than most of his teammates even at 35. These are the 10 most valuable players in Argentina according to Transfermarkt:

1. Lautaro Martinez (ST, 24 years old, Inter Milan) – $82.50 million
2. Lionel Messi (RW, 35 years old, PSG) – $55 million
3. Cristian Romero (CB, 24 years old, Tottenham) – $52.80 million
4. Rodrigo de Paul (CM, 28 years old, Atletico Madrid) – $44 million
5. Paulo Dybala (CAM, 28 years old, Free Agent) – $38.50 million
6. Lisandro Martinez (CB, 24 years old, Ajax) – $35.20million
7. Emiliano Martinez (GK, 29 years old, Aston Villa) – $30.80 million
8. Guido Rodriguez (CDM, 28 years old, Real Betis) – $27.50 million
9. Juan Foyth (CB, 24 years old, Villarreal) – $27.50 million
10. Nicolas Gonzalez (LW, 24 years old, Fiorentina) – $27.50 million