Inter Want Lautaro Martínez to Finish His Career Wearing the Nerazzurri Shirt

Inter are already thinking long-term with their captain, while Lautaro himself begins to define how he wants to close out his career at the highest level.

A Decision That Is Starting to Take Shape

At 28 years old and preparing to play his second World Cup with Argentina, Lautaro Martínez is beginning to gain real clarity about the path he wants to follow until the end of his professional career. The striker is at the peak of his footballing maturity and has established himself as an undisputed leader at Inter Milan, where he serves as captain, reference point, and main goal scorer.

Although his current contract runs until July 2029, when he will be close to turning 32, there is already talk inside the club of something far more ambitious than a standard renewal. Inter want to ensure that “El Toro” becomes a generational symbol — a player tied to the club until the day he hangs up his boots.

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Inter’s Plan: A ‘Career-Long’ Renewal

According to reports from InterNews, the club’s hierarchy is planning to open talks within the next 12 to 18 months to offer Lautaro a definitive, long-term extension designed to cover the final stage of his career. The strategy inevitably brings comparisons to Javier Zanetti, the club’s current vice president, who spent 19 seasons with Inter before retiring in 2014.

The parallel is no coincidence. Inside the club, Lautaro is viewed not only as their star on the pitch, but also as an institutional figure — a player with deep loyalty and a strong connection to the Nerazzurri identity.

Numbers That Secure His Place in Club History

Since joining Inter in 2018, Lautaro Martínez has played 355 official matches, scoring 165 goals and providing 53 assists, while winning seven trophies, all at domestic level. This season alone, he has featured in 20 matches, scoring 12 goals and adding 3 assists across 1,480 minutes, maintaining an elite level of consistency.

Matching Zanetti’s longevity would be a monumental challenge, requiring Lautaro to remain at the highest European level until nearly 40 years old. Even so, Inter believe his competitive mentality makes such a career path genuinely possible.

Zanetti’s Unconditional Support

Amid recent criticism questioning his impact in the biggest matches, Javier Zanetti publicly came to his captain’s defense. “The criticism of Lautaro is absurd. We are talking about our captain — someone who always gives everything and has a great sense of belonging,” said the former club icon.

Beyond speculation and future scenarios, Inter’s message is clear. Lautaro Martínez is not just the club’s present — he is the player they want to build their long-term legacy around, right through to the end.