Inter Milan news: Lautaro Martinez tests positive for COVID-19

The Argentine has withdrawn from the national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador on March 26 and 29 respectively.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez; Credit: Twitter/@Inter_en
By Sreejith C R | Mar 22, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has tested positive for COVID-19. The Argentine has withdrawn from the national team for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador on March 26 and 29 respectively following the positive test result. The matches are not too important as Argentina have already qualified for the tournament in Qatar. Martinez will self-isolate himself at his home.

As announced by both Argentina FA and Inter, Martinez tested positive for COVID-19 after a test carried out on Sunday, before his departure for the Argentina training camp. He is now following the procedure laid out by the health protocol and is isolating at his home. 

The 24-year-old has been in stunning form for Inter off late, having found the back of the net four times in his last four appearances in all competitions. The Nerazzuri will be hoping to have him back for the crucial match against rivals Juventus on April 3. Martinez played 74 minutes of Inter’s 1-1 draw against Fiorentina on Saturday, meaning that some other players from the match now risk testing positive as well. 

Inter are currently placed third in the Serie A standings with 60 points from 29 games, six points adrift of the leaders AC Milan but with a game in hand. The defending champions dropped points in their last two games, allowing Napoli and Milan to move away from them. 

Meanwhile Argentina national team head coach Lionel Scaloni will also be hoping to have him back for the second match against Ecuador on March 29 but he would have to test negative prior to the match. 

Albiceleste are currently placed second in the 10-team table with 35 points from 15 games. The top four teams at the end of the league phase will directly qualify for the World Cup while the fifth placed team will play play-offs against the AFC fourth round winner.Â