Lautaro Responds to Criticism: Focus on Team Success

Lautaro Martinez, after scoring his first goal in the 2026 World Cup, responds to criticism by emphasizing the importance of the team's victory over personal goals. He praises Messi and warns about the upcoming challenge against Cape Verde.

After scoring his first goal in the 2026 World Cup, Lautaro Martinez addressed criticism by stating, "You are the ones obsessed with goals; I focus on the team." Following Argentina's success against Jordan, Martinez was interviewed by ESPN in Dallas and responded to those who had pointed out his lack of goals in recent weeks.

He downplayed the significance of his penalty goal, which made the score 2-0, asserting that his contributions to the collective effort are what truly matter. "It’s the fans and you journalists who are obsessed with goals. I work for the team," he said. He added, "I’m happy because the team won, not because of the goal. A striker lives for goals, and when they don’t come, it’s frustrating, but we are focused on the objective, just like in Qatar and the Copa América."

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Martinez expressed great admiration for Lionel Messi, who was also instrumental in the match against Jordan. "What he does is incredible. There are no words to describe what he generates and represents," he noted. Looking ahead to the round of 16, where Argentina will face the surprising Cape Verde, who eliminated favorites Spain and Uruguay, Martinez called for respect and thorough preparation. "There were two favorites, Spain and Uruguay. In the end, Cape Verde progressed, but we need to respect them and prepare well. We are full of enthusiasm and eager to keep dreaming."

In the mixed zone, he conveyed a message to his teammates to avoid lapses in concentration. "It will be a great match. We feel calm because we won the Copa América in Miami last year. But it will be very tough because for them, this is the match of a lifetime."