Lautaro Martinez should be contender for Ballon d’Or – Inter boss Simone Inzaghi

Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi believes red-hot Lautaro Martinez should be in contention for the Ballon d’Or.

The striker has scored 11 goals in nine Serie A games, including four in the 4-0 rout of Salernitana last month.

He also netted in Inter’s Champions League opener – a 1-1 draw at Real Sociedad – last month.

Martinez is on course to beat the Serie A scoring record of 36 goals in a season, set by Gonzalo Higuain for Napoli in 2015-16 and Ciro Immobile for Inzaghi’s Lazio in 2019-20.

Ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League clash with RB Salzburg at the San Siro, Inzaghi feels his striker, who won the World Cup with Argentina last year, deserves recognition in the Ballon d’Or.

Inzaghi told a press conference: “Yes, given the journey he’s been on and the trophies he’s won, I think it’s only right that he’s among the candidates to win it and he needs to carry on working in the same way.

“What comes to mind is Ciro’s record, as he achieved it with me. Lauti only returned a day-and-a-half ago from South America, he is in great shape and the team gives him all the support he needs too.”

Inter, top of Serie A, are second in Group D behind Sociedad on goal difference.

“This is a delicate match because the entire group is very balanced. Every game is important and we’ll need to be highly focused,” said Inzaghi.

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“Heading into this game, we’re doing well. We won against Torino, which was no easy task. Tomorrow’s match will be important in a group that is very balanced.

“We need to stay focused because Salzburg are a tough side to face and won away to Benfica on the opening matchday.

“Salzburg play good football and have an aggressive playing system, even if they played differently in our pre-season friendly.

“They know how to switch it up and – when in possession – quickly get it to their forwards, who are very physical. We’ll have to produce a true Inter performance.”

Salzburg are a point behind in the group, having beaten Benfica and lost to Sociedad and boss Gerhard Struber expects an improvement after three winless games.

“We have to play better than we have done recently, for sure. It will definitely be a totally different match in a totally different competition. We won’t be favourites,” said the former Barnsley manager.

“We are playing a top Italian team who are right at the top of Serie A. We definitely have more to win than we have to lose and we want to play successfully there too.

“We have to put our core values out on the pitch again for that.”