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Pivotal Club World Cup Showdown Between Inter Milan & River Plate Holds ‘Special’ Value For Nerazzurri Captain

Originally posted on SempreInter.com  |  By Marko Vrakela  |  Last updated Jun 25, 2025 7:39 AM ET

Tonight’s high-stakes FIFA Club World Cup clash between Inter Milan and River Plate carries added significance for Lautaro Martinez.

Per Tuttosport via FCInterNews, El Toro will face the team he has never admitted to supporting.

Despite never expressing his passion for River Plate, Lautaro Martinez reserves a special place in his heart for the Argentine giants.

However, he must put his feelings aside, considering this fixture will decide Inter’s fate in Group E.

This top-of-the-table six-pointer will determine who advances to the Club World Cup quarter-finals as group winners.

Lautaro Martinez Braces for ‘Special’ Inter Milan vs River Plate Game

The 27-year-old will face his former international colleagues in Seattle.

Indeed, Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel were part of the Argentina squad that won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Furthermore, veteran goalkeeper Franco Armani was in the Middle East three years ago as Emiliano Martinez’s backup.

Therefore, this reunion adds another layer of emotion to an already crucial encounter.

Lautaro crosses paths with familiar faces from Argentina’s most spectacular triumph in recent memory.

However, they’ll be on the opposite sides in a match Cristian Chivu cannot afford to lose.

This article first appeared on SempreInter.com and was syndicated with permission.

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