After their elimination by Fluminense in the Tour of 16, Inter Captain Lautaro Martinez focused on his teammates and stated: “Those who don't want to be here should go!”.
Inter -President Beppe Marotta later suggested that the target of Lautaro's anger was Calhanoglu, which is being sought by Galatasaray.
In response to controversy, the midfielder of Turkey stated this morning: “After the injury in the Champions League -final, we still decided that I would leave for the United States with the team. Even without being able to go up the field, I was important for me.
“I wanted to be close to the group to give my support. Unfortunately, during a training session in the US, I ran an injury in another area. The diagnosis was clear: a torn muscle. For this reason I could not play in this competition. There is nothing else. No background.”
Then Calhanoglu added: “We lost yesterday. And it hurts. I experienced it with sadness, not only as a football player, but as a person who really cares about this team. Despite the injury, I called a few teammates immediately after the last whistle to show my support. Because if you give, that's what you do.”