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Inter Milan Striker Lautaro Martinez Had To Consult Psychologist Over Yellow Cards

Inter Milan Striker Lautaro Martinez Had To Consult Psychologist Over Yellow Cards

Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez worked on his mentality by working with a psychologist.

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez has revealed he saw a psychologist in attempt to stop receiving yellow cards.

Psychologists have regularly been used in football, particularly with players struggling for confidence.

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford recently admitted to working with a psychologist and it certainly paid dividends as he had a stellar Euro 2020 tournament that saw him claim the Golden Glove as England reached the final.

Martinez too received help but it was in slightly different circumstances - his need to limit the amount of cautions he was being shown by referees.

Image: PA
Image: PA

In working with the specialist, the Argentine has seen his discipline improve massively.

"I am happy and satisfied with my career, everything I do at Inter is helping me with the national team," Martinez told the media in Argentina, as per Goal.

"I am improving physically, I've trained carefully to get into peak shape.

"It was more complicated to work on my mentality. Becoming a father has helped me to solve many things off the pitch. A psychologist has helped me to protest less and collect fewer yellow cards.

"Check the stats and you can see I've improved. A new season is on the horizon and so is the 2022 World Cup."

The stats don't lie. In 2019/20 Martinez received 11 yellow cards and one red, while last season saw him cut that tally down to just five.

The 23-year-old featured in every game as Antonio Conte's Inter ended an 11-year wait for a Scudetto. Continuing a productive partnership with Romelu Lukaku, Martinez finished the season with 17 goals and 10 assists.

He then helped Argentina win the Copa America, scoring twice as La Albiceleste went all the way in Brazil.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Given his age, Martinez still has plenty left to achieve in the game but already has plans to return to his two previous clubs before he retires.

"I'd like to end my career at Liniers, I'll try to convince my wife to return to Bahia Blanca, I hope I can play again for Liniers or Racing one day, but it's difficult to make promises in football," he added.

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Topics: Football, Serie A, Inter Milan