Milan, Italy – Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has revealed a long-held desire to return to his boyhood club, Racing Club de Avellaneda, though he maintains a firm commitment to the Nerazzurri for the foreseeable future. The Argentine international spoke candidly about his aspirations in an interview with Racing Radio, outlining a potential homecoming that hinges on both personal and professional factors.
“Returning to Racing is a dream of mine,” Martinez stated. “I’m trying to convince my wife, and she is supportive. Obviously, it depends on many things – family matters, but also my physical condition. But my dream is to play for Racing again for at least a year, even if I don’t understand when that will be.”
Martinez was quick to clarify that any potential move is not imminent, emphasizing his current focus remains with Inter. “I still have three years left on my contract with Inter,” he explained. “I would like to continue playing at a high level for a long time, I feel good and I am still young, but in the future I would like to reveal my children the love that the people of Racing have for me.”
The potential for a return to Racing is further fueled by the club’s current president, Diego Milito, a celebrated former Inter player himself. Milito was instrumental in Inter’s historic treble-winning season in 2010, scoring both goals in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich. Martinez revealed a close relationship with Milito, stating, “I speak to him every week. He has always been present and close to me, even at the beginning of my career. He messaged me after my injury, and we talked about Racing, which isn’t doing well at the moment, but I sent him a message of support for the club.”
Martinez also touched upon the passionate support for football within Argentina, recalling a recent experience at Racing’s training ground. “I was at Tita (the Racing Avellaneda training center) because a friend of my brother was playing for the reserve team. I had arrived in Argentina because I was called up to the national team, and I went straight to the field. I ran into Costas (Racing’s coach), who told me, ‘Stay here, we’re waiting for you, come back next year, play in the World Cup, and come back.’ The desire to return to Racing is always present in me because of the moments I lived there, which allowed me to achieve what I am doing today. Beyond the sacrifices I made, they helped me a lot.”
Despite the allure of a return to his roots, Martinez remains focused on achieving further success with Inter Milan. He acknowledged the immediate goals of securing another Serie A title and defending their Coppa Italia crown. The forward’s commitment to Inter is underscored by his current contract, which runs through the 2028-2029 season.
The connection between Martinez and Milito adds another layer to the narrative. Milito’s legendary status at both Inter and Racing creates a unique bond that could potentially facilitate a future move. The former striker’s influence on Martinez’s career is undeniable, and their ongoing dialogue suggests a shared understanding of the emotional pull of Racing Club.
Lautaro Martinez’s words offer a glimpse into the heart of a player deeply connected to his origins. While his immediate future remains in Milan, the dream of returning to Racing Club de Avellaneda continues to burn brightly. For now, Inter fans can rest assured that their captain remains fully committed to the Nerazzurri’s pursuit of further silverware.
Inter Milan will next face Cagliari on March 22nd, 2026, at the Unipol Domus stadium (19:00 CET / 18:00 UTC). Fans can follow the match live on DAZN Italy and ESPN+ in the United States.
