Inter Striker Lautaro Martinez: “Transfer Links To Barcelona Are In The Past, Now I Only Focus On Inter”

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez has no doubt that his only priority is the Nerazzurri regardless of any transfer links to other clubs in the past.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League clash with Barcelona, as reported by FCInterNews, the 25-year-old stressed that previous links with the Blaugranas will have no impact on his mentality in the match.

Martinez has been linked with a number of top European clubs virtually ever since he joined Inter in the summer of 2018.

However, the Argentine has always remained at Inter, having signed a contract extension last fall.

The feeling has generally been that Martinez has a genuine commitment to Inter and is happy at the club, despite interest from many attractive destinations.

For his part, the striker made clear that this is exactly how he feels.

“That’s in the past now,” he said of previous links to Barcelona, “today I’m an Inter player.”

“What I want right now is to always do my best for Inter.”

Of what the team needs to do in tomorrow’s match, the 25-year-old said that “We know that Barca have a lot of quality, that they will try to get their best players in one-on-one situations, and that we will need intensity.”

He said that “We had an excellent first half in the last meeting with them, and I think we have to repeat that part of the match tomorrow.”

“I hope to play well, to play with character, and to play the way we’ve prepared to.”

Asked about whether he wants to become a reference point for Inter for the years to come as Vice-President Javier Zanetti suggested, Martinez said that “For me it’s a point of pride being praised by Zanetti, he’s a symbol of this club.”

“I work to give my best to Inter, to help my teammates, to grow every day,” he continued.

“I try to focus on that, and I thank Javier for those wonderful words.”

Asked about his recent goal drought, Martinez said that “I’m calm based on the work I’m doing, and because I am still helping my teammates.”

“We’ve had to give something more for the team and I’ve tried to do that.”

The Argentine reflected that “This happens to all forwards, I just have to be calm because I know the goals will eventually come.”

Of the refereeing controversy in Inter’s win over Barcelona at the San Siro, he said that “The VAR analyzed the episodes and the match went on, we have to focus tomorrow.”

“The referee will do his job like everyone else,” he added.

Of the absences of Romelu Lukaku, Marcelo Brozovic, and Joaquin Correa through injury, Martinez said that “They’re three big misses, but we have other players ready to make up for their absence as was the case at San Siro.”

Of Barcelona’s injury absences, he said that “They won’t have Araujo, he’s a great defender.”

“But as I said before, we’ve prepared well for this match, we’ll try to play are game and do well with the ball.”

And asked whether he would settle for a draw from tomorrow’s match, Martinez responded in no uncertain terms, “No, I want a win.”