A champion with Inter and Argentina, why can't Lautaro Martinez win the Ballon d'Or?
It has been a year to remember for Inter striker Lautaro Martinez. First, his goalscoring exploits helped fire the Nerazzurri to their 20th Serie A title matched by his devastating impact to lead the Argentina Men's National Team to the Copa America crown. So, why aren't people talking about him as a Ballon d'Or contender?
Lautaro Martinez has long been Inter's main man and undoubtedly the most highly-valued player in Simone Inzaghi's squad, but he secured his legacy on the international stage as he settled a tight Copa America final against Colombia in Miami in July.
With a tense match heading towards a penalty shootout, Martinez broke Colombian hearts as he finished off an excellent team move with a ruthless finish deep into extra-time to win it for the Albiceleste. The goal carried even more weight considering his performances at the 2022 Men's World Cup in Qatar.
Enjoying glory at both club and international level, and truly spectacular scoring figures across the season, Lautaro has forced his way into the Ballon d'Or conversation and shows no signs of letting up.
Lautaro Martinez crowned Serie A's top scorer
The campaign began in sparkling fashion for the former Racing Club man as he struck five goals in Inter's first three Serie A matches, before an incredible four-goal haul against Salernitana at the end of September suggested it was going to be his year.
Lautaro would go on to score a league-high 24 goals from just 33 Serie A appearances, in addition to six assists, as he forged a frightening partnership with new arrival Marcus Thuram in attack.
For context, Serie A's next-highest scorer last season was Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus on 16 as Lautaro hit an incredible 50% more goals than the Serb to claim the capocannoniere crown.
Efforts against the likes of Atalanta, Juventus, and Lazio would prove crucial as Inter romped to the scudetto, with Martinez becoming the first Argentine captain to lead a team to the title since Nerazzurri icon Javier Zanetti in 2010.
Away from Serie A, the 26-year-old made his impact felt in the Supercoppa Italiana final as he netted the only goal against Napoli, though he was far less decisive in Inter's underwhelming Champions League campaign with just two goals.
Martinez steps up for Argentina in Messi's absence
Fresh from a second Serie A title since joining Inter in 2018, Martinez's next stop was the United States and the Copa America as Argentina sought back-to-back triumphs. Martinez had been instrumental in helping the Albiceleste lift the trophy in 2021 with three goals, but it was Lionel Messi who stole the show in Brazil then.
However, it was Martinez's turn to take centre-stage and he finished the tournament as top scorer with five goals, including his dramatic impact in the final to add to efforts against Canada, Chile, and Peru.
After Messi had been forced off against Colombia with an ankle injury and the final heading for penalties, Martinez showed the coolness in front of goal that had previously abandoned him in the biggest moments to clinch the win and push forward his Ballon d'Or claim.
Having flopped as Argentina won the 2022 World Cup and come under heavy scrutiny for his failure to score, Martinez has developed significantly and now appears ready to handle the pressure of leading the line as Messi's career reaches it's twilight, and becoming a consistent scorer.
In a season in which he has won three trophies at club and international level, with 42 goals and assists in 53 matches, Lautaro Martinez has as good a chance as any in being named the best footballer in the world for 2024.