In an interview with Italian news outlet FCInterNews.it, former Inter striker player Alessandro Altobelli has spoken on a range of topics and started off by discussing his move from Inter to Juventus.
“I cried when it happened and I hope that the fans understand why I went to the Bianconeri. It was not a direct move, I terminated my contract with Inter and then went to the European Championship’s,” he explained.
“I played well and Giampiero Boniperti called me. I was a great professional and spent 11 seasons with Inter in which I played practically every game.”
He then went on to speak about current Inter striker Lautaro Martinez, who is being heavily linked with a Summer transfer window move away to Barcelona.
“I would keep him. I would like him to be at Inter for a few more years as there is always time to go elsewhere later on.
“Messi wants him? Inter’s ownership can afford anyone. So I say to Messi to come to Italy and play for Inter together with Lautaro. The first thing I would do if I were an Inter director would be to remove Lautaro’s release clause.”
“Is Lautaro similar to me? We cannot make comparisons, we played in different eras. I have scored the second most goals in history for Inter but today players who score 15 goals a season are classed as phenomenons. I gave my best years as a player to Inter.”
He was then asked if he has spoken with former Inter teammate and current Bayern Munich chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge regarding Ivan Perisic.
“We do not talk about Bayern Munich signing him permanently when we talk. Perisic is in love with Inter. He knows he made some mistakes but he is a great player.”
He was then asked if he thinks Inter can get back to winning trophies soon.
“Marotta and Conte are in their first year together at Inter and the best three players were moved on in Perisic, Icardi and Nainggolan. I still find it hard to believe that they were moved on but now Inter are getting closer to Juve, I think that Inter will soon get back to being the team that wins.”
Altobelli then went on to discuss some players who he would like to see don the Nerazzurri shirt in the future.
“I like Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo. They are young and already in the national team.
“What do I think about Corentin Tolisso? Looking at Inter’s midfield, I see strong players and I would rather look to reinforce in other departments.
“An Italian core? The players who come through Italian academies give the most. If I were Inter I would focus on Italians like Chiesa and Castrovilli.”
He was then asked about highly rated Lazio duo Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto: “I would sign them both. They are two phenomenons who have changed Lazio.”
In conclusion he spoke on Mauro Icardi and recalled Icardi’s gesture of giving him an Inter shirt when he turned 60 years old.
“We should judge players for what they do on the field and on the field he has scored many goals but then he threw away all the trust that all the fans had in him. He made the wrong choices but when he gave me the shirt, it was kind.”
