Former Napoli and Atalanta striker, Germán Denis, has voiced his strong support for Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez to win the 2024 Ballon d’Or, stating the Argentine ‘deserves it more than anyone’, Soccernet.football reports.
Martinez’s exceptional performances last season, including his role in securing Inter’s 20th Serie A title, have made him a top contender for the prestigious award.
Lautaro was instrumental for Inter, scoring 24 goals in 33 Serie A appearances, which earned him the league’s top-scorer title.
His contributions extended to Argentina’s Copa America triumph, where he scored five times in six games, including a crucial goal in the final against Colombia.
Martinez’s achievements have earned him a place on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d’Or alongside teammate Hakan Calhanoglu.
Speaking to TMW, Denis remarked, “This season, Lautaro Martinez deserves to win the Ballon d’Or more than anyone because he scored a lot and achieved all his goals.”
Martinez’s campaign this season started slower, as he had to wait five games to net his first goals, but Denis believes his overall consistency last season makes him a deserving candidate.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s manager, has also publicly backed Martinez for the award.
In an interview with Tuttosport, Guardiola said, “Lautaro Martínez can win the Ballon d’Or. He is an extraordinary striker, he is captain of Inter and he plays for Argentina, who are world champions. You have to be a special player to do certain things.”
Despite this support, Real Madrid’s duo of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr as well as Manchester City’s Rodri are considered the favourites for the Ballon d’Or, with the winner to be announced on October 28 in Paris.
Tuttosport via Mundo Albiceleste