In an interview with La Nacion, Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has spoken on the close relationship he has formed with Inter captain Mauro Icardi.
“Mauro was very close to me from the first day I arrived. The first time we met he told me, ‘call me if you need anything. My phone is always on.’
“He helped me look for an apartment, making me understand my new way of life better and letting me integrate into my new surroundings.
“Mauro is like that with everyone, not just Argentines. He makes himself available to every new player who joins Inter and acts as a reference point in the team. Our relationship has been excellent from our first day together, both on and off the field. Sometimes we manage to watch Racing’s games together, even if he is a supporter of Newell’s Old Boys. The two of us on the field together? It takes time and patience.”
Next he spoke on the reported interest in his services during the January transfer window.
“I was not aware of anything. From the news I read, I think it was Betis’ president who asked about me but nobody told me anything, I’ve always thought about Inter, I’m very happy here and I love how the club and the people are.”
He also spoke on the now infamous moment where his father hit out at Inter manager Luciano Spalletti.
“Everything is fine between me and Spalletti, everything has been resolved. I explained to him that my father was a player himself and that we are a family with great passion. My father was wrong when he wrote that famous tweet, it’s true, but he’s only human.”
He concluded by sharing his desire to make a difference off the pitch.
I want to create a foundation that helps people in need,” he continued.
“At Racing I participated in many solidarity events, even in my city. Here at Inter we delivered gifts to hospitals in Milan over Christmas. Helping others touches me and always gives me great pleasure. Also in this sense, I can learn a lot from someone like Zanetti.”
