Lautaro Martinez certain “Inter Milan Will Redeem Ourselves Vs Barcelona – Adds “Can’t Compare Messi & Yamal” | OneFootball

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez insists Barcelona whizz-kid Lamine Yamal cannot compare with Lionel Messi yet.

During a pre-match conference via FCInterNews, the 27-year-old put La Pulga in the galaxy of his own.

Lautaro Martinez will lead the line for the Nerazzurri when they take on the Catalan powerhouse tomorrow night.

With Marcus Thuram under the microscope due to a lack of match fitness, all eyes will be on El Toro.

Indeed, it’s up to the club’s best foreign goalscorer to end Inter’s dismal three-game scoring drought in all competitions.

However, Simone Inzaghi’s charges will face an in-form Barcelona side in a hostile environment.

Seeking revenge for the 2010 semifinal heartbreak, Hansi Flick’s team will take the field in high spirits.

For context, Los Blaugranas won a record-extending 32nd Copa del Rey title last weekend, beating Real Madrid in the grand final.

Therefore, they remain in contention for a historic quadruple, with another La Liga title almost in the bag.

Lamine Yamal has been the architect of Barca’s outstanding campaign.

Inter Milan Star Lautaro Martinez Refuses to Compare Barcelona Prodigy Lamine Yamal with Lionel Messi

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 16: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Bayern München at San Siro on April 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Martinez fought side by side with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in Qatar nearly three years ago.

Indeed, La Pulga led Argentina to their first World Cup since 1986.

In doing so, Messi may have rendered himself the greatest of all time, hence El Toro’s comments.

“I won’t make comparisons because, for me, Messi is the greatest of all time,” Lautaro stated. “Yamal is a fantastic player.

“He’s already won major trophies with both club and country. He’s an outstanding talent with a bright future ahead of him.”

However, Yamal isn’t the only magician in Barcelona’s intimidating frontline.

Luckily for Inter, Robert Lewandowski will not be available for tomorrow’s fixture.

Yet, Lautaro admits Inter are aware of Barca’s attacking threat.

“We know it well, we’ll need to put in a great collective defensive effort. We’re a team that defends very well.

“We’ll have to attack and defend together, making the most of our chances.”

No Room for Self-Pity

Asked what’s behind Inter’s recent downturn, El Toro offered his opinion: “We’ve done a great job so far.

“It had been a long time since we lost three matches in a row. We’re very disappointed, we’re not used to it.

“But the group is united, and that’s the key. We’re ready for this match.”

“In three years, we’ve reached two Champions League semifinals. something the club hadn’t done in many years.

“We’re doing a great job in a very important competition.

“We’re focused on doing our part and making the fans’ dream of reaching another final come true.

“Moreover, we’re concentrated and eager to face this great opponent and enjoy the match.”

Furthermore, he explained what Inter must do to cope with Barcelona.

“We need unity,” he claimed. “We suffer first and foremost when we lose, we don’t accept it.

“Also, we’ve said what needed to be said among ourselves, and that stays in the dressing room.

“My teammates know it. Tomorrow we’ll give everything.”

Past Examples & Marcus Thuram Importance

Inter must defy the odds to reach the final, but that’s not uncharted territory for the Nerazzurri.

Indeed, Jose Mourinho inspired the Italian giants to unprecedented success in 2010 at Barcelona’s expense.

Now, Lautaro insists his teammates must draw inspiration from that remarkable story.

“That kind of spirit must never be missing,” he added. “Not all matches are the same, but it’s important that we understand we always have to give everything.

“We’re ready for this match, we’ve worked very well and recovered energy.

“Now, we just have to prepare for these final hours and then come out with great personality.

“I’ve seen how the team has worked, how the group is doing.

“Regardless of the fact that we’re not used to losing, and losing three in a row was tough.

“We’re the first to suffer from it. But we’ve trained really well and I see guys who are eager to turn things around.

“This situation doesn’t sit well with us, but we’re in a good place as a group.

“Being a solid group is key, and the staff also helps create the best environment for us to go out there and perform.”

Additionally, the Argentine striker hailed Thuram’s significance to this Nerazzurri squad.

“Marcus is very important for us. I’m happy because we’ve recovered him and he’s available.

“We still don’t know the lineup, so we’ll see if he plays or not.

“He’s important, he’s grown a lot, and he can really give us a big boost.”

Individual Awards & Competition Preference

There’s a growing belief Inter are more desperate to win the Champions League than Serie A.

However, Lautaro doesn’t share the same opinion.

“I disagree because in every competition we’ve always played to win,” he was adamant.

“The Champions League is very important, and the details make the difference. Maybe we haven’t been as focused in the league.”

Finally, he once again put Inter’s interest above his individual aspirations.

“Individual awards come from winning with the team, and I focus on making the fans and our families happy.

“They’re the ones who suffer the most. Individual awards come as a result of that.

“What matters to me is the group, and if an individual award comes, it’s thanks to the team.”