Inter Milan Captain Lautaro Martinez Reveals ‘Inzaghi Told Us He Was Leaving’ – Adds ‘Calhanoglu Conflict Was Just A Misunderstanding’ | OneFootball

Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez says Simone Inzaghi “told us he was leaving.”

The Nerazzurri captain looked back on the coach’s exit this summer speaking to France Football, via FCInteNews. He also called his dispute with Hakan Calhanoglu “a misunderstanding.”

The 49-year-old had spent four years in charge of the Nerazzurri.

The expectation had long been that Inzaghi would sign a new contract and continue his time at the helm.

However, in the last few weeks of the season, Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal made the former Lazio coach an offer.

Al-Hilal may not have been able to offer Inzaghi the chance to continue his career competing for top trophies.

However, the Saudi club were able to put an offer on the table that blew anything Inter could give Inzaghi out of the water.

And in the end, the 49-year-old chose the money over remaining the coach of a top European club.

There were rumours about Inzaghi’s future for weeks during the closing stretch of the season. In the end, the coach departed Inter just a couple days after the Champions League final.

Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez: “Inzaghi Told Us He Was Leaving”

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Simone Inzaghi, Head Coach of FC Internazionale, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has revealed some of the background of Inzaghi’s departure.

“Everyone is free to make their own decisions,” he said. The Inter captain claimed that Inzaghi leaving “absolutely didn’t” influence the end of the season.

“Our coach told us that he’d received an offer,” Martinez said. “And that he would be leaving.”

“But we were just focused on our goals,” the Nerazzurri captain insisted.

Martinez claimed that Inzaghi “always showed professionalism.”

“We felt very comfortable with him. He was the driving force for us.”

Martinez also spoke about his “many” pre-match rituals.

“Especially in the morning, just before the match,” he said. “I always try to do the same things,” he said.

“I set my alarm for the same time, 8.01,” explained Martinez. “Basically, a series of weird little rituals allow me to be at peace with myself.”

“As soon as I get up I boil the water for my mate and take a shower. And then when I get out of the bathroom, I have hot water ready.”

Then, Martinez commented that “I always step on to the pitch with my strong foot, my right one.”

“That’s very common in Argentina and South America,” the 28-year-old said. “To make sure the match goes as smoothly as possible.”

“As far as the other pre-match rituals? I keep those to myself, they’re my superstitions.”

Lautaro Calls Calhanoglu Conflict “A Misunderstanding”

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 25: Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring their team’s second goal during the Coppa Italia, Quarter Final match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Martinez also addressed his highly public spat with midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu over the summer.

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

This appeared to be a thinly-veiled dig at teammate Hakan Calhanoglu.

“It was a misunderstanding,” he said. “I wasn’t happy with certain things, and my statement was meant to apply in general.”

Martinez said that his words “weren’t directed at [Calhanoglu] specifically.”

“As the captain, that’s just what came to my mind at the time.”

“Some might like it,” the Inter captain said. “Others might not.”

“But then we discussed it between us as a team, along with the coach and the senior management.”

“And now everything’s fine,” Martinez claimed. “We’ve straightened everything out.”

“We’re united. Our new coach [Cristian Chivu] is also giving us a lot of help.”

“We’ll do our best for him.”

Martinez also explained the origin of his “El Toro” nickname “A teammate in the Racing Club youth team gave it to me,” he said. “Right from one of my first training sessions.”

“I had a lot of physical strength, a desire to run, I hit hard. He said that I was like a bull.”

Martinez said that the bull “is an animal that represents me well.”

“I even got a tattoo of one in Buenos Aires,” he noted.

Of physical contact on the pitch, Martinez said that “it gives you energy,”

“If you win a duel, you always come away from it with more confidence.”

Lautaro On Boxing Match With Antonio Conte

MILAN, ITALY – FEBRUARY 14: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates with his coach Antonio Conte after scoring their side’s third goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on February 14, 2021 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Then, Martinez recalled a boxing match that he had with coach Antonio Conte in 2021.

This came about after a touchline bust-up between the pair.

“I’d had a bit of an argument with him at the time,” he said. “But we eventually resolved it.”

“My teammates set up the boxing ring as a joke,” Martinez explained. “It was better for us to laugh about it, it was a moment to just relax.”

Martinez admitted that “I don’t know” what his next tattoo will be.

“I want to finish my right arm,” he said. “At one point, I wanted to get a tattoo of the World Cup, the Copa America, and the trophies I’ve won with Inter.”

“But I didn’t,” he said. Martinez joked that “if I win everything I’m dreaming of, it will be hard to get everything in there.”

“Maybe I’ll put the date of our World Cup success. The same goes for the Champions League if I win it. I hope so, some day.”

Lautaro Looks Back On Champions League Clashes Vs PSG & Barcelona

MUNICH, GERMANY – MAY 31: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale looks dejected as he walks past the UEFA Champions League trophy after defeat to Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at Munich Football Arena on May 31, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

“We’ve played in two Champions League finals in three years,” Inter captain Lautaro Martinez said.

“Each time, we’ve had a great run. But each time, we’ve always lacked that little something extra in the last match.”

“It’s very painful,” Martinez admitted.

“The last one was hard for me,” he said of Inter’s 5-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain last season. “I struggled to accept it, because we were so confident and well-prepared.”

“Nothing went the way we hoped,” he said. “And that made the pain even greater.”

“These are scars that need to heal with time.”

Martinez called semifinal opponents Barcelona and PSG “two different teams.”

“But I always thought, and I told those around me, that they were the two favourites.”

“When we eliminated Barcelona by playing our game with humility, we’d reached our goal. Getting to the final.”

“And if we’d played the way we prepared, we’d have had a great chance of winning,” the Inter captain claimed. “But we didn’t.”

Martinez said that Inter “knew it would be difficult” against PSG.

“Because they’re a strong, confident, and solid team. They’ve won a lot of trophies.”

“But in that match, we weren’t very good,” he went on.

“We’d prepared for it very calmly. But it was just their day. They put in a very strong performance, and the result was well-deserved.”

“I congratulate Hakimi and Donnarumma,” Martinez said. “They both played in Milan, and I have a great relationship with them, I’m obviously happy for them.”

Lautaro: “I Didn’t Talk To Anyone” After Inter 5-0 PSG UCL Final Loss

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JUNE 21: Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between FC Internazionale Milano and Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on June 21, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Inter captain Lautaro Martinez admitted that after that final, “I didn’t want to talk to anyone for five days.”

“I wanted to talk to my teammates,” he said. “But nothing came out, I couldn’t say anything.”

“I was stuck,” Martinez said. “I was distressed and sad.”

“Maybe the right word would be impotence,” the 28-year-old said of that final. “Because we weren’t able to show what we’d worked on on the pitch.”

“What we’d worked on in training, we couldn’t put into practice.”

“More than anything, that was the thing that made us angriest,” Martinez said.

The Argentine stated that Paris Saint-Germain “deserved the result.”

“They deserved to win that final. Because they played a great match.”

Lautaro: “In The First Leg Vs Barcelona I Pulled A Muscle”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates after team mate Hakan Calhanoglu (not pictured) scores his team’s second goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Then, Martinez looked back on his injury during the Champions League semifinal tie against Barcelona.

“In the first leg away in Barcelona I pulled a muscle,” he said.

“The doctors told me to stay off the pitch for 12-15 days,” said the Inter captain. “Because the muscle was slightly torn.”

“For six days before the second leg I did two physiotherapy session a day. I worked out at the gym.”

“The day before it was still very sore,” Martinez said. “But I put on a bandage and went out.”

The Nerazzurri captain recalled that “when I scored the penalty, my leg was in a lot of pain, it was a shame.”

“Then two days later, the pain had doubled,” Martinez said.

“I underwent some tests. It turned out that my injury had become more serious.”

“I spoke with the doctors to prepare for the final as best I could,” said the Nerazzurri captain. “In the conditions that I thought were possible.”

“I worked hard. Really hard. But the muscle was not fully recovering.”

Martinez said that “Honestly I was healed, ready to play, but I felt different, not at 100%.”

The Inter captain admitted that the recovery after that was “bad, bad, bad.”

“After having a few days, I had to return to the national team. And then immediately after that, leave for the US for the Club World Cup.”

“There was a week where the pain was excruciating,” said Martinez. “Very intense, difficult to stomach.”

“Afterwards, there’s no time to complain,” he said. “You have to start over and keep going, turn the page.”

Lautaro: “Expected Higher Ranking In Ballon D’Or Voting, Sometimes I’m Underrated”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 19: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale poses for a photo with the Serie A TIM Scudetto title trophy at full-time following the team’s draw in the Serie A TIM match between FC Internazionale and SS Lazio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 19, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Then, Martinez admitted that “I expected to be ranked higher” in the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting.

“After finishing as the top scorer and best player in Serie A. Winning the Copa America and scoring five goals, including the winner in the final.”

“I also won the Supercoppa Italiana,” Martinez noted. “Scoring in both the semifinals and the final.”

“But I respect the judges’ decision,” the Inter captain said.

“They asked me what I thought, and I said it. That’s just how I am.”

Martinez commented that “the collective comes before the individual” in football.”

“But when we achieve our personal goals, it’s because we’re doing well for the team.”

“Our collective goals have allowed us to get this far.”

“Being among the thirty players shortlisted for the best in the world is already a great reward,” Martinez said. “But I dream of being able to give my best over an entire season.”

“I dream of winning the Ballon d’Or,” Martinez said, calling it “a very prestigious trophy.”

Asked if he feels that he’s underrated, the Inter captain replied “at times, yes.”

“At the end of the day, it’s all just a matter of taste. Maybe also a question of image, marketing, where I don’t necessarily get to where I deserve.”

“But I give my all for my teammates,” the Argentine said. “For the shirt.”

“That’s what matter. I try to achieve my goals to be at peace with myself.”

Martinez declared that “at 28 I’m very happy with my career.”

“I’ve constantly progressed. I’ve improved my game. And I still have a lot to learn.”

“Yes, I still aspire to more recognition,” Martinez admitted. “That’s important.”

“But above all I’d like to be recognized as a decent, proper person who’s always acted the right way.”

Lautaro Martinez Proclaims “I’m In The Top Five Strikers In The World”

MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 22: Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale celebrates winning the Serie A TIM title after winning the Serie A TIM match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 22, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

Then, Martinez reflected that “We define our own values as we play and grow.”

“We work for ourselves first. Then, there’s everyone around us who vote, speak, analyze, and give their opinions.”

“Sometimes these people can get off on the wrong foot,” the Inter captain said. “And say negative things about you.”

“They’re free to express themselves,” he added. “Even commenting and criticizing.”

“When people say negative things about you it hurts,” continued Martinez. “But they’re just words, it’s subjective.”

“Everyone can give their own value to each player.”

As far as where he ranks himself for strikers in the world, Martinez replied “in the top five, definitely.”

“I don’t want to name any names,” he said. “Everyone ranks players the way they want to, there are some strikers at the top level.”

“But what I’ve done over the past few years means that I’m in the top five.”

Lautaro Argues “I Deserve A Good Ranking” In 2025 Ballon D’Or

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 17: Lautaro Martinez #10 of FC Internazionale Milano passes the ball against Oliver Torres #8 of CF Monterrey during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group E match between CF Monterrey and FC Internazionale Milano at Rose Bowl Stadium on June 17, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

As far as the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting, Martinez noted that Inter “had a great season as a team.”

“We were competitive on all fronts,” he said.

The 28-year-old admitted that “I wasn’t at my best at the start of the season.

“But as the months went by I was feeling better and better. I scored a lot of goals in the Champions League [nine goals].”

“That allowed me to become Inter’s all-time top scorer in the competition [with a total of 21 goals].”

“That was an important aim for me,” Martinez said.

“I don’t know what place in the voting I deserve,” said the Argentine. “But I was feeling good, happy, even if the last few matches saw us finish without any trophies.”

“I had a great season,” said Martinez. “I deserve to be in a good place in the rankings.”

As far as his own picks for the Ballon d’Or, the Inter captain commented that “a lot of players have had great seasons, with a lot of trophies.”

“PSG have a lot of players nominated [nine in total] and one of them could win it. Hakimi. Dembele.”

“As for the others, I’m a big fan of Mohamed Salah,” the Inter captain said.

“But it all depends on how you evaluate it. Because he had a great season in the Premier League, which he won, he’s some player.”