Article by Aurelian Botezatu – published Tuesday, July 1, 2025, 15:28 / Updated Tuesday, July 1, 2025 15:37
His midfielder Inter, Hakan Calhanogluwas charged with the captain Lautaro Martinez that it is no longer connected to the club's goals, alluding to the rumors that they would prepare their departure to Galatasaray.
Without saying the name, Lautaro Martinez showed his finger on the Turkish midfielder Monday night, at the end of the match with Fluminense (0-2). Among other things, the captain of the Nerazzuri said: “Whoever wants to stay, to say. Who does not, to leave (no – allusion to Hakan Calhanoglu).
I want to fight further. Even if we end a long, tiring season, with many strokes and zero trophies. We have to be a group again, like when we won the last title. “
Lautaro Martinez: “The message is clear. Who does not want to stay, goodbye!”
Then it became even more concrete: “Now, I mean one thing: Here you need to stay. You understand me?! Because here we fight for goals! We do everything here and we saw many things that I didn't like. I am the captain and I want to continue to stay in the top. The message is clear. Who does not want to stay, goodbye!”.
The reaction of the 2022 World Champion, later commented by coach Cristi Chivu, and President Giuseppe Marotta, “Lautaro alludes to Calhanoglu, we will talk to him, to see what he wants”, disturbed the 31-year-old midfielder, currently injured and returned to Milan.
Hakan Calhanoglu: “I was struck by the words that followed. Hard words. Words that divide”
Calhanoglu, who was rumored to want to go to Galatasaray, went out on Tuesday with an open letter, which he published on his Instagram account. “After the injury in the Champions League final, I decided, however, that I would go with the team to the United States. The fact that I was there, even without being able to enter the field, was important to me. I wanted to be close to the group, to offer my support.
Unfortunately, during a workout in the US, I suffered another accident, in another area. The diagnosis was clear: a muscle rupture. That's why I couldn't play in this competition. There is nothing else. No historian. Yesterday I lost. And it hurts. I lived this with sadness, not only as a footballer, but as a person who really cares about this team.
Despite the injury, immediately after the final whistle I called a few teammates to support them. Because when you care, that's what you do. What struck me the most, however, were the words that followed. Harsh words. Words that divide, I do not unite. In my entire career I have never sought apologies. I have always assumed responsibilities. I also played with pain. And in difficult times, I have always tried to be a reference point. Not with words but with facts”He believes.
Hakan Calhanoglu: “The true leader is not the one who is looking for someone to blame”
The Turkish player claims that he respects “every opinion, even that of a teammate, even that of the president. But respect cannot be unidirectional. I have always shown it, on the ground and outside. And I think that in football, as in life, the true power consists in knowing how to respect each other.
I never betrayed this shirt. I never said I am not happy at Inter. In the past I received offers, even some very important. But I chose to stay. Because I know what this shirt means to me. And I thought my choices speak for themselves. I had the honor of being the captain of my national team. And there I learned that the true leader is the one who stays with teammates, not the one who is looking for someone to blame when it is easier to do. I love this sport. I love this club. And I love these colors for which I gave everything every day. “
Calhanoglu ended without specifying whether or left. “The future? We will see. But history will always keep in mind who was standing. Not who has raised the most voice,” he pointed out.
