Champions League final: Lautaro Martinez plays down Ballon d'Or hopes ahead of Paris Saint-Germain clash | OneFootball

The Argentine is in the hunt for European redemption after failing to score in the 2023 UCL final

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez insists the possibility of enhancing his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or will not be on his mind when he takes to the pitch in Saturday’s Champions League final.

Some have tipped Martinez to become a Ballon d’Or contender for 2025 if he can lead Inter to their fourth European Cup title on Saturday night.

But Martinez’s focus is firmly on the final, as he said: “Personal prizes come after what I want to give to my team.

Martinez scored a key goal as Inter downed Barcelona in the semi-finals

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“I want to share the joy with the fans, after the seven years that I have been here. It’s the second final in three years. I want to achieve things with this team.”

Internationally, Martinez has scored 32 goals in 70 matches for Argentina, including winning the 2022 World Cup. Adored by fans of Inter, he was asked on the eve of the final whether he is respected more in Italy, where he has played since 2018, the same year he made his international debut.

Martinez said of Inter’s opponents PSG, who many see as the favourites: “We have to be aware of it [PSG’s threat] and we need to be prepared to be at our best tomorrow.

“Of course there’s a bit more pressure, but it’s a final. What matters is that we play the way we have played so far. PSG are really strong, but I think we are skilful enough to punish them.”

Midfielder Nicolo Barella, added the team would dedicate their triumph to manager Simone Inzaghi if they managed to make it past PSG.

“He works hard every day,” Barella said. “We will dedicate it to him, the fans, our families.“You cannot win a game against them [PSG] if you cannot count on the group.”