Scaloni: “Lautaro Martínez deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone”
Inter striker has been Scaloni’s starting choice in just three of the last nine games, however, the Albiceleste coach thinks the player should be considered the best in the world
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni surprised journalists present at the press conference ahead of the match against Bolivia , for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers , this Tuesday, by stating that Lautaro Martínez «deserves the Ballon d’Or more than anyone else».
” Lautaro Martínez winning the Ballon d’Or? He had a spectacular year, he scored in the final, he was the top scorer in the Copa América , and he deserves it more than anyone. I hope he gets it, he’s a guy I really like and I hope they give him that opportunity, and if not now, then later, because he still has a great future ahead of him,” said the Argentine, in a press conference ahead of the match against Bolivia , regarding the qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
The statement is surprising because Lautaro Martínez has not earned Scaloni’s full trust in the national team’s games. Since the victorious Copa América campaign, the Inter forward has only been a starter for three months in the last nine matches.
However, in the duel in the early hours of this Tuesday, Scaloni reintegrates Lautaro Martínez into the starting eleven, along with Messi and Álvarez up front.
