‘If He Plays With Lionel Messi, He Is Better,' Argentina Coach Opens Up On Lautaro Martinez's Barcelona Transfer

Argentina's national team coach, Lionel Scaloni, has insisted that playing alongside Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona will be “better” for Lautaro Martinez.

Martinez, who has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona this summer, currently plays for Inter Milan. The Serie A side signed the forward from Argentina’s Racing Club for a fee of $25 million on a five-year contract. Martinez, who has netted 25 goals in 66 matches, across competitions since his Inter debut in 2018, has impressed several big European clubs including the La Liga champions.

Before soccer around the world was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, Martinez scored 16 goals for Inter in 31 matches. As the speculations about his move to Barcelona have increased ahead of the summer transfer window, Argentina's head coach has spoken about Martinez’s possible union with his compatriot, Messi, at Nou Camp.

“If he plays with Messi he is better, no doubt. Beyond that later he will have to fight for the position as he did in Inter. We have to be calm. If he changes clubs, maybe he does not have to be the undisputed starter, and it will not affect us, as long as he has a number of minutes that allows him to be in force. He has a huge future but still has a lot to give,” Scaloni told TyC Sports.

While speaking about Martinez making headlines these days, Scaloni derived an example of Sergio Aguero’s exploits for both, Argentina and Manchester City.

“Talking so much about Lautaro, it is Sergio who is breaking all the records. That is why you have to go calmly and wait for the moment of each one,” added Scaloni about Aguero, who is Man City’s all-time goalscorer and third on Argentina’s list with 31 international goals to his name.

Earlier it was reported that former Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti has warned the Nerazzurri that they won’t be able to hold on to Martinez if the talented striker does want to switch to Barcelona.