The Foreign Press Association in Italy has chosen Inter Milan’s Argentinean football player, Lautaro Martínez, the country’s finest foreign athlete for 2024.

Under the direction of Italian-Argentinian coach Julio Velasco, the Italian national volleyball team won the Olympic title in Paris and was named the association’s team of the year.

As Inter’s captain and wearer of the number 10 jersey, Lautaro received praise for his exceptional play all season long. “A true protagonist of the championship, Lautaro finished the 2023-24 season as the top scorer in Serie A with 24 goals,” said the organization.

The Argentine’s selection as the team’s number ten and captain was confirmed by his goals, which were crucial in bringing the second star to the Nerazzurri club.

The squad lead by Velasco, whose motto “here and now” helped them win the incredible gold medal in Paris, also received the best athlete award.

This medal, which was Italy’s 40th gold in Paris and the first Olympic gold for women in volleyball, along with the men’s silver from Atlanta ’96, enthralled a whole country.

The celebrated football manager Claudio Ranieri received recognition for his accomplishments as well. “He ended his’ retirement’ to return to coaching Roma after saying goodbye to football by salvaging Cagliari. “I can’t say no when they call me,” he declared.

The ‘Revelation Athlete of the Year’ award went to tennis star Jasmine Paolini: “Italian tennis is more than just Jannik Sinner.” Paolini had a memorable 2024. After winning the Dubai 1,000, the young player advanced to two more finals (Paris and Roland Garros), rose to the fourth spot in the global rankings, and tied the record set by Francesca Schiavone.

Other honors included swimmer Simone Barlaam, who won three golds in Paris (50m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and 4x100m freestyle) and a silver in the 400m freestyle, earning her the title of Best Paralympic Athlete. Four of Barlaam’s eight Olympic medals—one gold, two silvers, and one bronze—came from Tokyo 2020.

This paralympic swimmer, Manuel Bortuzzo, “became one of the brightest symbols of Paris” and received the Sports Committee’s Special Award. Resilience and tenacity were demonstrated by Bortuzzo, who earned his first Olympic medal with bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke six years after his tragedy.