- Hakan Calhanoglu is reportedly keen on a move to Turkish giants Galatasaray
- The 31-year-old missed the Club World Cup round of 16 defeat through injury
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Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez fired an apparent shot at his team-mate Hakan Calhanoglu, with club president Giuseppe Marotta confirming his call for wantaway stars to leave was aimed at the Turkish midfielder.
Martinez had strong words for his colleague after the Champions League finalists bowed out at the round of the 16 of the Club World Cup following a shock 2-0 defeat by Brazilian side Fluminense.
The Argentine, who was one of two Inter players to hit the woodwork in the North Carolina loss, apologised to the fans after the match but reserved his most stern note for Calhanoglu, who has been linked with a move to Galatasaray.
‘I am not going to name names,’ Martinez told Mediaset. ‘We are here to give our all, but I saw many things I did not like. I am captain, I am the leader of the group, so I have to speak up.
‘The message is clear: those who want to stay and continue challenging for important trophies can do so, otherwise, goodbye.’
Marotta had no issues identifying the target of Martinez criticism, telling DAZN that the club and Calhanoglu, who missed the game through injury, will find the ‘best possible resolution’ for both parties, while also dispelling rumours that the 31-year-old has expressed a desire to leave.
Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez has instructed any of his team-mates who don’t want to be at the club to leave
Hakan Calhanoglu, who missed the Club World Cup defeat with injury, is reportedly keen on a move to Turkey
Inter president Giuseppe Marotta confirmed that Martinez’s comments were aimed at Calhanoglu
‘There are some suppositions, and some truths that I’m underlining,’ said Marotta. ‘It’s something I always say, that when a player no longer wants to be somewhere, it’s right for them to go.
‘To date, no one has expressed such a desire.’
It comes after a trying few weeks for the Italian side who reached the latter stages of every competition they contested last season but ended the campaign trophyless.
Their most damaging defeat came in the Champions League final where they suffered a historic 5-0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in Munich.
Following the loss, head coach Simeone Inzaghi departed for Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal. The Club World Cup provided new head coach Cristian Chivu with the chance to make an early mark but their disappointing display may already raise questions over the suitability of the inexperienced coach.
Martinez added: ‘The coach gave us a strong push, even if today we went out of the competition. We have a clear message: anyone who wants to stay must stay, anyone who doesn’t want to stay here should leave.
‘We represent an important club and must challenge for important objectives.’
