LaPresse

Former Inter defender Daniele Adani believes that current Nerazzurri striker Lautaro Martinez has what it takes to be a striker in the calibre of Argentina and Serie A legends Gabriel Batistuta and Hernan Crespo.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai Radio, via FCInterNews, Adani praised Martinez as a player who has come into his own and become decisive for the team.

Martinez is hardly the first high-profile Argentine striker to make a name for himself in the Italian top flight.

The 25-year-old heads into the World Cup where he is expected to be a key player for the Argentine national team just as he has become for his club.

Adani feels that Martinez has taken a step up and can now be spoken of in the same breath as Albiceleste legends such as Batistuta and Crespo.

The former defender backs Martinez to have a big impact at the World Cup and then when he returns to the Nerazzurri.

“El Toro Martinez is a player who has arrived, he’s decisive and ruthless at age 25, in my opinion he can score even more,” Adani said.

“This is fundamental for a player who is ready to inherit the legacies of great Argentine strikers,” he went on, “Batistuta, and also Crespo wrote part of the history of our football here in Italy.”

“A player who starts for Argentina at a World Cup is, if not in the very top tier, right up there,” he added.

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