Hakan Calhanoglu broke his silence on his Inter Milan future after facing ‘harsh’ criticism from Nerazzurri captain Lautaro Martinez.
After El Toro’s blunt post-Fluminense interview, Calhanoglu took to Instagram to respond via FCInterNews.
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Lautaro Martinez was brutal in his verdict after Inter bowed out of the FIFA Club World Cup last night.
Indeed, the 27-year-old urged everyone who wants to leave the club to do it, directing his statement at Calhanoglu.
Furthermore, Inter president Beppe Marotta joined the Argentine superstar in his post-match comments.
Leading Inter figures look irritated by the 31-year-old’s current situation.
Despite never expressing his desire to leave, Hakan Calhanoglu is seemingly flirting with Galatasaray.
Meanwhile, the club finds his behavior intolerable.
Eager to recover from a disappointing season, Inter need all hands on deck.
Therefore, there’s no room for disruptors.
Though Calhanoglu doesn’t give the impression of being one, his actions speak otherwise.
Hakan Calhanoglu Responds to Lautaro Martinez
“After the injury in the Champions League final, we still decided I would travel with the team to the United States,” Calhanoglu wrote.
“Being there, even without being able to take the field, was important to me. I wanted to be close to the group, to give my support.
“Unfortunately, during a training session in the U.S., I suffered another injury in a different area.
“The diagnosis was clear: a muscle tear. That’s why I couldn’t play in this competition. There’s nothing else. No hidden story.
“We lost yesterday. And it hurts. I lived it with sadness – not just as a footballer, but as someone who truly cares about this team.
“Despite the injury, I called some teammates right after the final whistle to show my support. Because when you care, that’s what you do.
“What struck me the most, though, were the words that came afterward. Harsh words. Words that divide, not unite.
“In my whole career, I’ve never looked for excuses. I’ve always taken responsibility. I’ve even played through pain.
“And in difficult moments, I’ve always tried to be a point of reference. Not with words, but with actions.
“I respect every opinion – even that of a teammate, even that of the president.
“But respect cannot be one-sided. I’ve always shown it, on and off the pitch.
“And I believe that in football, as in life, true strength lies in mutual respect, especially in the most delicate moments.”
Hakan Calhanoglu About Loyalty
In addition to responding to Lautaro’s words and addressing Marotta’s statement, Calhanoglu reiterated his loyalty to Inter.
“I have never betrayed this shirt. I have never said I wasn’t happy at Inter,” he added.
“In the past, I’ve received offers – even very important ones. But I chose to stay.
“Because I know what this shirt means to me. And I thought my choices spoke for themselves.
“I’ve had the honor of captaining my national team. And there, I learned that a true leader is the one who stands by his teammates – not the one who looks for someone to blame when it’s the easiest thing to do.
“I love this sport. I love this club. And I love these colors, for which I’ve given everything, every day.
“The future? We’ll see. But history will always remember those who stood tall – not those who raised their voice the loudest.”
Even if Lauti didn’t name Hakan specifically I don’t understand why Marotta name dropped Hakan personally unless there is a different motive:
Sell hakan to raise funds and make it seems like he is the one wanted to leave, we didn’t want to sell. So the fans don’t go mad.
Personally I think hakan should stay he’s still world class, specially on penalties.
I think it can be good or bad. Calhan wants to force his way out (for lower fee or for free) by emphasizing his contribution to Inter over the years, while Inter wants to recoup money (25-30mil) for replacement. Maybe it creates tension within the squad. At the same time, it also puts pressure on Calhan to perform on pitch even if the transfer does not happen because he says he is always “loyal” to Inter lol.
Lautaro shouldn’t have said what he said as a captain, if he had an issue he should have addressed it directly with the team and management not airing things like that publicly after a loss, the problems with inter are bigger than hakan, too many tired legs acerbi/darmian/miki etc need to leave for the sake of the team so inter can slowly rebuild now, the longer they wait around the more it will be difficult to open a new page
Nah he’s fine. He basically said Inter is more important than its players.
He’s seen Conte and Lukaku come and go.
He’s seen Inzaghi leaving us for the Arabs right before CWC.
There are multiple players wanting to defend our side.
He’s not only a leader and captain, he’s got Marotta and Chivu’s back. He said it with class, without naming anyone or creating unnecessary drama.
Tbf it honestly could have been Lautaro just pissed that the performances are not good enough since around March and that he feels players aren’t pulling their weight, and as captain “if people aren’t giving 100% then bugger off”
Which he’s spot on,
Unfortunately marotta coming out and saying Lautaro was talking about hakan doesn’t help anything.
And at the end of the day, if an ageing player wants to return home I have no problem, if he was angling for a Saudi move maybe I’d be pissed after all the messages to fans concerning Bayern last year BUT footballs a business and he has a contract, if an offer doesn’t meet our valuation we shouldn’t just let him walk to be nice..
He is injury prone AF though and so there are pros and cons – I just hate the soap opera fall from grace we’re having
We’re being laughed at on and off the pitch right now
cant agree more. i think lautaro not specifically mention hakan. but overall inter squads because under performing team. He thought some of the players just lacking commitment. so if some of them want to leave, just leave quickly.
Agree that Lautaro didn’t name any names, but Marotta and possibly Chivu made it worse
definately both Marotta and Chivu have made this situation worse. Everything should be done behind closed doors, now predicatably other teams (galatasaray) will try to low ball us. Really pathetic episode for everyone involved, seems like our club was run by fans and not professionals. It’s been a bad season ending let’s not make it worse.
why did lautaro say and act like teenie pinky?
who are the captain actually?
Lautaro should have not said that shit. It was totally not good for the team.
see. the soap opera drama itself is more interesting to see than the low-grade performance that we have had since second half of last season. u all better fix inside the squad first than giving any bs statements to the public. sell if you want to sell, buy if you want to buy, i am tired of those late dramas since ages, i am not a fan of soap opera, i am a fan of football club.