Lautaro and Çalhanoglu make peace: the move together after tensions and transfer rumours

MILAN – The clarification came in a flash. After days of tension following Inter's elimination from the Club World Cup, when Lautaro Martínez had harshly criticized some of his teammates—with the words interpreted as a reference, in particular, to Hakan Çalhanoglu , as president Beppe Marotta later explained—the two Nerazzurri leaders today appeared together on social media. Lautaro and Çalhanoglu posted a photo of themselves smiling, with a clear message: case closed in the locker room. A clear response to the rumors of internal rift that had sparked controversy among fans and the media.

What happened after the Club World Cup

The controversy erupted immediately after Inter's elimination from the Club World Cup, a disappointment that left its mark. Lautaro Martínez, the Nerazzurri captain, didn't hide his anger on the microphones: "I didn't like certain attitudes, some didn't give their all for the team." These words caused a stir and sparked debate about the Inter dressing room. In the following days, Beppe Marotta attempted to defuse the situation, explaining that the main point of reference was Hakan Çalhanoglu, considered one of the team's technical leaders. This reconstruction fueled rumors of a strained relationship between the two, despite their recent successes and the central role of both in Inzaghi's project.

Çalhanoglu: "Lautaro and I talked."

Also because in the meantime, transfer rumors were raging, fueling tension. Çalhanoglu had been spotted in Istanbul—he'd missed the World Cup due to injury—and made no secret of his interest in a move to Galatasaray. A soap opera that had continued for weeks. Then, in the very last hours, the suspension. And the return to Milan for medicals with the rest of the team. At that point, healing the wound was inevitable. It was the Turk who sent out signals of peace: "Lautaro and I talked. We're professionals, there's no problem. We had our heads full, and now we're all relaxed and looking forward." Now, the photo that's worth a thousand words.