Inter Milan Captain Dispells Doubts About Rift With Turkey Star Ahead Of Tough Season | OneFootball

Lautaro Martinez has dispelled doubts about a rift with Hakan Calhanoglu ahead of the tough season ahead.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews. They note the significance of a photo posted of the two players together after a tense summer.

Yesterday, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez posted a photo with Hakan Calhanoglu on his Instagram story.

The two Nerazzurri players met prior to today’s return to preseason training. And it’s no mystery what message Martinez was trying to convey by posting the picture.

It’s been a summer of tension and even open hostilities between Martinez and Calhanoglu. This culminated in Martinez all but calling out Calhanoglu over transfer rumours.

Speaking frankly after Inter’s Club World Cup exit against Fluminense, the Argentine implored “whoever wants to leave, leave.”

Calhanoglu then responded to Martinez’s outburst. He hit out that “respect is a two-way street” and suggested that the captain’s comments had been “divisive.”

Lautaro Martinez Dispels Doubts About Calhanoglu Rift At Inter

UDINE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 28: Lautaro Martinez celebrates scoring his second goal with teammates Marcus Thuram and Hakan Calhanoglu during the Serie A match between Udinese and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli on September 28, 2024 in Udine, Italy. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images)

Naturally, Inter do not want to head into the coming season with a simmering feud between two of their most important players.

Martinez knows that as well as anyone. The Argentine wears the captain’s armband at Inter, and feels the pressure keenly.

This is the first time in four years that Martinez and Inter are going into a new season without any silverware to defend from the last one.

It is also unlike last summer for Martinez in one important aspect. The 27-year-old has had a full vacation to rest and recover.

Therefore, the Nerazzurri captain has had time to reflect and anticipate the new season. And he wants to head into it without any problems between he and Calhanoglu.