Lautaro: 'I will never leave Inter, unless they kick me out'

Lautaro in his own words

Lautaro Martinez has opened up like rarely before. In this interview, conducted by Gazzetta dello Sport, the Inter captain speaks with complete honesty about family, hardship, leadership, and his bond with the club he calls home. What stands out most is not just what he says, but how clearly he says it: with affection, humility, and the stubborn determination of a player who feels deeply connected to Inter.

Below, we have kept Lautaro’s words front and centre, because this is his story and his voice is the real headline.

“The real gift is the next goal I’m chasing”

“Nothing special. The real gift is the next goal I’m chasing.”

Asked what he gave himself after winning the double, Lautaro did not talk about luxury, celebration, or personal triumph. He went straight to what drives him now: the next objective, the next challenge, the next step. It is the kind of answer that explains why he remains the emotional and competitive centre of Inter’s attack.

“Hopefully. I’ve been working to make sure I arrive there in the best shape possible.”

On the possibility of a second World Cup, the Argentina striker sounded determined and focused, already thinking about preparation rather than nostalgia. That same mindset runs through the entire interview: Lautaro is not looking backward for too long, even when the memories are powerful.

Family, childhood, and the people who shaped him

“My mom and dad came just in time for the celebrations. They won’t be able to come to the World Cup because of work, but they were really happy to be here and enjoy Inter’s victories with me.”

“My grandmother’s. She isn’t doing too well right now, so it really touched me. When I was little, she used to clean the school I went to, and I would help her so she could finish faster. Her name is Olga, and she’s right here on my arm. It makes me sad that we’re so far apart now. This double is for her.”

This is where the interview becomes especially moving. Lautaro does not hide behind football clichés; he goes straight to the people who raised him, supported him, and sacrificed for him. His grandmother Olga is not just a memory, but a living presence in his story — literally, through the tattoo on his arm. And his words about his parents show how deeply he understands the distance between where he came from and where he is now.

“My dad was a footballer. When he became a professional and played in Serie B, he left his job as an aircraft mechanic at the naval base in Bahia Blanca. But then his team got relegated, so there wasn’t much money coming in to support the family. He had to start over and became a caregiver for elderly people, while my mom began working as a housekeeper to earn a little money. But there were three of us kids at home, so money was always tight.”

When asked about their living conditions back in Argentina, if there ever was any lack of food:

“Not exactly. My brothers and I even used to play a game to see who could eat the most. But I do remember that feeling of being hungry while waiting for dinner. And then there was the rent. We couldn’t afford to pay it, so for almost three years, we lived at a friend’s house. Every now and then, we would just pay 100 pesos for electricity.”

Those lines hit hard because they show the reality behind the star. Lautaro’s rise was not built on comfort. It was built on sacrifice, adaptation, and the kind of family resilience that leaves a permanent mark. And yet he remembers that period not with bitterness, but with gratitude.

“What I look back on it, I smile. I was happy. Just happy. I would love to experience certain feelings again, feelings that shaped me into the man I am today. Thanks to my parents, I learned the humility and respect that I am now passing on my children.”

From Bahia Blanca to the Biscione - when did football enter Lauti's life?

“It was always there because of my dad. I used to go watch his training sessions, and on match days I’d sneak into the dressing room just to hear the captain’s team talk. And the captain? That was my dad.”

When did you realize that you would have a career in football?

“Honestly, I’m not sure there was one exact moment. When I was 13, I was also playing basketball, because it’s a big sport in Bahia Blanca. My brother Jano is actually a point guard in Serie A for Ferro Carril now. But when I was 15, I joined Racing and my dad told me I had to choose. In the end, there wasn’t much to think about — football just suited me better.”

You did a lot of travelling, you didn't live at home?

“Yeah, moving 600 kilometers away wasn’t easy at all. I felt really homesick. When you’re that young and you don’t have your family around, it’s tough. Plus, my older brother Alan was dealing with some health problems, so my mind wasn’t completely at ease either. Luckily, my dad gave me the strength to keep going. He really wanted to see me chase my dream — and in a way, it was his dream too: making it big in football. He was even ready to move to Buenos Aires with me, but I told him I could handle it on my own. And in the end, I stayed strong and kept going.”

There is a straight line between that boy in Argentina and the captain at Inter today. The homesickness, the pressure, the responsibility, the early sacrifices — all of it helps explain why Lautaro speaks the way he does now. He does not sound like someone who drifted into greatness. He sounds like someone who fought for every inch of it.

“Unless they throw me out, I’m staying” - Inter is your home now?

“I really hope so. I don’t have the keys to Appiano yet, but almost… My family and I are happy here. We even have a restaurant, and my kids go to school here, they have their friends. Right now, it’s hard for me to picture myself anywhere else. Of course, in football you never know, but unless they throw me out, I’m staying.”

That is the line Inter fans will circle immediately. It is not a politician’s answer and it is not a carefully engineered soundbite. It feels like a declaration of belonging. Lautaro is saying that Inter is not just a workplace; it is his base, his routine, and his family’s home.

Do you keep track of scoring records?

“Honestly? I don’t even know how many goals I’ve scored. I know I’m third on Inter’s all-time scoring list and that’s about it. It’s not something I think about too much.”

One day you might pass the legendary Giuseppe Meazza!?

“That would be amazing, because Meazza is history — for Inter and for the city of Milan. Maybe I can do it, but I’d have to start taking penalties again! (Laughs)”

On records, Lautaro remains almost disarmingly relaxed. He knows the names, he knows the ranking, but he refuses to let numbers define him. Even when the conversation turns to Giuseppe Meazza, he keeps it light, respectful, and very much grounded in the present.

Captaincy, mentality, and Chivu’s arrival

“It’s something you have inside. You can’t really train for it. You need personality, leadership, and you have to set the example. But a captain is nothing without his team. And I can say Inter have an amazing one, because everyone here has that winning mentality.”

Mourinho said no one from this team would play in the Treble-winning side?

“Everyone has their own opinion. For me, it doesn’t really make sense to compare players from different eras. The important thing is to focus on what’s best for Inter and not listen too much to all the noise. You have to live in the present.”

That answer is vintage Lautaro: firm, direct, and focused on what matters now. He is not interested in endless comparisons or romantic arguments. He is interested in the team in front of him and the responsibilities that come with leading it.

Is this the best version of you, that we are seeing today?

“Definitely, because I feel really happy and confident when I play. I feel free, even tactically. I wasn’t like that before.”

Is this thanks to your psychologist?

“Yes. I was dealing with a lot of personal issues, especially away from the pitch and before my daughter was born. Therapy helped me a lot, even with things like handling the periods when I wasn’t scoring. At times, I even started questioning myself, wondering if I really deserved to wear Inter’s number 10 shirt. That shows you how far your mind can go. That’s when I understood I needed help, because I was starting to fall into a dark place. Even now, I still work with the club psychologist. He helped me a lot during those 46 days I was injured, which really wasn’t easy.”

This is perhaps the most important part of the interview. Lautaro speaks openly about mental health, self-doubt, and the value of therapy. It is honest, modern, and courageous. For a captain to say this publicly is not a weakness; it is a sign of maturity, and it will resonate with supporters far beyond the football pitch.

“After the final, no. But after the Club World Cup, yes. I thought about so many things and I suffered a lot. I’m not saying I asked to leave, but deep down I had this feeling that if a big offer had come in, then maybe… I was really devastated. That’s the state of mind I was in when I gave that interview after the elimination against Fluminense. I went out there, put on the shirt, and said what I truly felt.”

You said, “Whoever doesn’t want to stay can leave.”

“I wanted to say what I had seen inside the dressing room. As captain, I felt like it was my responsibility. Then I went on vacation and, for three weeks, I didn’t train at all — I just ate. Honestly, when I came back, I had put on a bit of weight.”

Was that the ignition for Inter to bounce back?

“I don’t know. But saying it publicly definitely shook things up. I was angry with myself too, because I wasn’t perfect either. Then Chivu helped us a lot. He brought in some fresh energy, without taking anything away from Simone, who gave us four amazing years.”

What did you think of Chivus appointment, when you got the news?

“I called him straight away. I had zero doubts he would do a great job. I already knew him from the training matches we used to play at Appiano against his Primavera team. You could tell he was made for big things.”

Lautaro’s comments on Chivu are particularly telling. He recognises the shift in energy, but he also gives credit to the continuity that kept Inter strong. That balance — respect for the past, confidence in the present — is exactly what a captain should project.

ThuLa, Kane, and the road ahead

Was going out from Europe against Bodø/Glimt an advantage?

“Not at all. I wanted to keep going in Europe. It wasn’t an advantage. Of course, playing fewer matches can give you more energy, but when you’re competing on every front, you also keep the right mentality for every game.”

Your partnership with Thuram looks very effective.

“Marcus and I have learned to understand each other better over time. He’s a smart guy, a special person. I’m the serious one. We complete each other well, even personality-wise.”

Who is the best striker in the world right now?

“Harry Kane. I rate him even higher than Haaland because of his touch, how he links the play, how he reads the game, and how strong he is in the air. He’s a phenomenon.”

How will people remember you in 10-20 years from now?

“As someone who always gave absolutely everything.”

What are your plans after retirement?

“I won’t stay in football. It’s not an environment I really like. You won’t hear from me anymore — I’ll disappear.”

There is something striking about Lautaro’s final answers. He is clear about what he wants to be remembered for: effort, commitment, and total sacrifice. And he is equally clear about life after football — distant from the game, private, and out of the spotlight. That honesty makes the whole interview feel even more personal.

For Inter supporters, the headline is obvious: Lautaro Martinez says he wants to stay, grow, and keep building his legacy in Nerazzurro. But beyond the headline lies something even more powerful — a player who remembers where he came from, understands what he has become, and still sounds hungry for more. In a football world full of recycled quotes, Lautaro’s words carry real weight.

What do you think is the most powerful line from Lautaro’s interview — and does it sound like the voice of a captain who will truly stay at Inter for life?