Lautaro makes emotional boyhood return as Argentina weigh up life after Messi | OneFootball

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez made an emotional return to boyhood club Racing during Argentina duty, with attention also on a looming transition as Lionel Messi nears his farewell.

At El Cilindro he watched the Avellaneda reserve derby between Racing and Independiente. It was a homecoming at the ground where his career began before he moved to Italy in July 2018. He was welcomed by club president Diego Milito, a former team-mate whom he replaced on his professional debut in November 2015. "He hasn't left yet, we still have one game left, and after that we'll see," he told ESPN Argentina.

"What remains is the legacy he left behind, along with all of us lads who have been joining up alongside the newcomers. We have to start from scratch, as with every new cycle."

"There are important, exciting young players, and there are lads who already have two World Cups under our belts. In the end, that's what matters: carrying forward the legacy left by Leo, by Otamendi, and the one Angel [Di Maria] left as well."

"It will certainly be an important process for us as well. We'll give our very best for the national team, as always."

Argentina are scheduled for two initial friendlies without their iconic forward, facing Bolivia in Cordoba on 30 September then hosting Burkina Faso three days later in Buenos Aires. Messi's official farewell follows at Estadio Monumental on 6 October against Benin.

Source: Goal.com

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