Redemption: Lautaro Martinez’s Two-Year Transformation from Villain to Hero, Emulating Milito’s Legacy

In the Copa America final, as Lionel Messi was substituted and tears welled up on the bench, TYC Sports lamented: millions around the world felt the sorrow for the football king. Witnessing Messi’s swollen ankle, fans could comprehend his emotions. He had given so much for this trophy. La Gazzetta dello Sport noted: at this point, he could only exit in tears like Cristiano Ronaldo did years ago, hoping his teammates would deliver. Who could Messi rely on? English fans quipped: it certainly couldn’t be Harry Kane... it had to be a “lucky champion,” perhaps Lautaro Martinez?

At that moment, fans noticed a curious omission in many pre-match posters made by Argentina supporters celebrating a potential victory: there was no mention of Lautaro, even though he topped the Copa America’s scoring charts. The reason was simple. Lautaro’s disastrous performance in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar still lingered in the collective memory, with clips of his missed opportunities dominating social media and video platforms even until now. In football, many people love to draw conclusions based on past failures, a mindset akin to “carving a boat to find a sword,” where previous mistakes dictate current judgments. Through this minor detail, people recognized the immense burden and mission Lautaro carried into the Copa America: to redeem himself.

Post-World Cup, Lautaro lived under the shadow of relentless criticism. Who cared that he played injured in Qatar? Who acknowledged the pain he endured, playing through injections, for Argentina’s cause? Who remembered his diligence and crucial contributions to the team over the years before the World Cup? Football’s brutality lies in its emotional swings; achievements are idolized while mistakes are vilified, leaving the wrongdoers defenseless, as no explanation would suffice against the deafening cries of the critics.

With this background, Lautaro’s actions after scoring in the Copa America final become even more understandable. He dedicated his goal to Messi, not only to console the tearful legend but also to honor Messi’s unwavering support amid the torrents of criticism over the past two years. Argentina’s squad has seen many stars become scapegoats, often unjustly bearing the brunt of the team's failures. This demonization by the media affected players like Gonzalo Higuain and Esteban Cambiasso in earlier years. For Lautaro, who faced immense adversity over the past two years, those who stood by him during his lowest moments naturally earned his deep gratitude.

In his goal celebration, Lautaro plugged his ears with his fingers. Typically, players would cup their ears to soak in the fans' cheers. Lautaro’s defiant gesture was a direct response to the unfair criticism he had endured. It symbolized an important lesson in football, and life: when faced with malicious condemnation from those who barely understand your field, what should you do? Defend yourself? Seek global sympathy? Or surrender to despair? The only effective response is to ignore the spiteful noise, let actions speak louder than words, and use undeniable achievements to rewrite the narrative. This is the true path of a strong individual.

After the celebratory moments, Lautaro knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, his expression a mix of relief and agony. This scene revealed the overwhelming pressure he had borne for two years, amidst a torrent of criticism. It underscored the difficulty of his accomplishments: winning Serie A with Inter Milan, helping Argentina retain the Copa America, claiming the Serie A Golden Boot, MVP, and the Copa America Golden Boot. For someone less resilient, surviving the global ridicule post-Qatar World Cup would have been an arduous task, let alone achieving new career heights.

Post-Copa America, Lautaro’s global reputation transformed dramatically. The same voices that once criticized now praised, celebrated, and even apologized to him. Italian media reflected: when Lautaro became a key figure in Argentina’s triumph, fans were reminded of Diego Milito. Back when Lautaro was a teenager at Racing Club, learning under Milito, there were hopes he would one day replicate Milito’s legendary “four goals for three titles” feat, cementing his place in football history. Over the years, Lautaro often missed such defining moments – in Qatar (World Cup final) and Istanbul (Champions League final). This time, he finally upheld the banner of his esteemed predecessor.

Football's allure lies in its narratives: Messi, who won everything early in his career and continues to win decades later, is a beloved story. Equally compelling is Lautaro’s journey from being universally scorned to silencing critics with his feet, crafting a legendary tale of perseverance and redemption.