Milito: ‘Door is open’ for Lautaro at Racing Club after ‘many years’ at Inter | OneFootball

Diego Milito has extended a warm public invitation to Lautaro Martinez to one day return to Racing Club, the Argentine club where both men began their careers, though the Inter captain’s former teammate was equally clear that there is no rush, with Lautaro still very much in his prime at San Siro.

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Speaking on DAZN’s Giorgia’s Secret, with quotes via FCInter1908, the former Inter striker, whose goals in the 2010 treble-winning season remain the stuff of Nerazzurri legend, reflected at length on a career defined by big moments and decorated by the finest company.

On Lautaro specifically, Milito’s admiration was both personal and professional.

“I have known him for a long time,” Milito said. “He made his first-team debut coming on in my place, imagine that. You could already see he was an extraordinary champion. He had everything clear in his mind, he knew what he wanted. He was remarkable.”

The connection between the two goes beyond football, with Milito emphasising the human quality that he believes underpins Lautaro’s success.

“I have had the chance to know him as a person too, and that is important, he is extraordinary. Every time he comes to Argentina he goes back to see the young players at Racing and has a chat with them. These are important things, they speak to his humility.”

Milito: ‘The door at Racing is always open to Lautaro’

On the prospect of a future homecoming, Milito was affectionate but realistic.

“I would love to bring him home one day, he knows that,” he said. “But the game is very dynamic. He is happy at Inter and still has many years ahead of him there. When the time comes, he knows the door at Racing is always open.”

Milito also touched on a number of other topics during the wide-ranging interview. He spoke warmly of Cristian Chivu’s development as a head coach, having sensed his coaching potential during their playing days together at Inter.

“He is doing very well, you could see it back then, just as you could with Thiago Motta and Stankovic,” he said.

“The Cuchu has everything it takes, even if he has not yet had the chance to fully demonstrate it.”

On Thiago Motta’s difficult spell at Juventus, Milito was loyal but honest.

“Sometimes it is difficult to explain certain things,” he said. “He certainly made some errors, he is young and will continue to learn. But I have no doubts he is a great coach.”

He also expressed regret over the way Mauro Icardi’s time at Inter ended.

“He did very well at Inter and could have done more, especially given the way he left. It is a shame he did not have the chance to continue a great career in nerazzurro.”