Lautaro Martinez (foto: Getty Images)
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez opens up about his struggles, mental health, and the impact of psychologists in helping him grow both on and off the pitch.
Lautaro Martinez, captain of Inter Milan, spoke in an emotional and wide-ranging interview with Il Corriere della Sera. The Argentine forward shared his thoughts on his mental health, his upbringing, and the life lessons that shaped him.
A childhood marked by hardship
Martinez revealed how his tough upbringing influenced his personality, making him a stickler for order and discipline.
"I think it’s about mental health. When I was little, I’d come home from school with my older brother, and lunch was already prepared by my mom, who worked all day.
"The house was always a mess, and before going to practice, I would tidy up. I’d make the beds, organize the laundry, and make my brother do the dishes because seeing them dirty bothered me. As a child, I had nothing. Sometimes, I didn’t know where I’d sleep at night. These experiences shaped me as a man, and I try to bring that onto the pitch. Outside of football, I’m happy to help and visit children in need. I understand their struggles and difficulties," Lautaro shared.
Family struggles kept hidden
Martinez also opened up about a difficult time in his family’s life when his brother faced health challenges.
"My parents hid it from me, which shows how much they protected my dream of becoming a professional footballer. They only told me when he was out of the hospital. After two years of treatment, everything was resolved. My brother is just ten months older than me, and we’re extremely close. When I left home, he suffered a lot," Lautaro recounted.
The role of psychologists in his career
The Inter captain highlighted the importance of working with psychologists in overcoming his early emotional intensity on the field.
"In my first senior match, I got two yellow cards in two minutes for sliding tackles. I lived everything like a battle because I always wanted to prove something. Psychologists helped me a lot: to stay calmer, to take two or three extra seconds to think about things, and even to improve my communication with the coach. These are the little details that make all the difference," Lautaro explained.