Early November 2015: an 18-year-old frontrunner by the name of Lautaro Martinez makes his senior bow for Racing Club in an Argentine league victory at home to Crucero del Norte, coming on as an 80th-minute substitute for veteran striker Diego Milito. A night to remember for the debutant and also one of unmistakeable symbolism, with club legend Milito passing the baton to a youngster destined for his own slice of greatness: a World Cup winners’ medal with Argentina in 2022 and iconic status as one of Internazionale’s most accomplished goalscorers of all time.
Martinez, aka El Toro (The Bull), did not merely follow in Milito’s footsteps. For three years, he was splendidly mentored by the older man, first as a team-mate then as director of sport at the club, the role he assumed on hanging up his boots in May 2016.
It’s highly unlikely that Martinez, who moved to Inter for a reported €22.7 million in the summer of 2018, would have pledged himself to the without Milito’s input. A bona fide Inter legend after wearing the Black-and-Blue stripes with distinction for five seasons and contributing 30 goals to the club’s historic treble in 2009-10, Milito was only too pleased to sell his beloved former club
